Transnational Authoritarianism: Causes, Consequences, and Responses

Authoritarian politics does not stay contained within the borders of the state. Autocrats and their allies reach abroad to try to influence their international environment to protect authoritarianism at home, or more ambitiously to promote pro-authoritarian norms abroad. A rich stream of political science literature – comparative, international, and area political studies – has mapped out the contours of this “transnational authoritarianism.” The panel understands transnational authoritarianism as the extension of authoritarian regime influence across borders with effects ranging from protecting authoritarianism at home to promoting pro-authoritarian norms abroad. Transnational authoritarianism is advanced by a variety of actors, from state authorities like security services or diplomats to parastate actors like ruling political parties to non-state subcontracted actors like criminal gangs. A range of tactics are employed from direct cross-border coercion, known as “transnational repression”, to softer forms of influence like external propaganda, authoritarian-linked financing of foreign civil society or educational groups, or influencing the workings of international organizations. These actors contest norms and values in foreign states, transnational networks, and international or regional organizations. Addressing the actors, tactics, and venues or transnational authoritarianism, the papers in this panel consider transnational authoritarianism from a variety of angles using multiple methods. Areas of inquiry include transnational authoritarianism’s causes, consequences, and, crucially, responses by other actors with an interest in resisting transnational authoritarianism.