Power Transition Masquerading as Popular Reform: Reform Policy Discourse Under the Personalist Regime in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, with its hegemonic ideological control, is an intriguing case for considering the impact of reform discourse, particularly within the context of authoritarian modernization. As there are similar proto-regimes in Russia’s neighborhood, this study provides an opportunity to learn about the types of modernization that are being copied from the largest neighbor, which is constructing an image of modernization and competence for domestic audiences as well as for external observers. Given that politics in Azerbaijan exhibits personalism in the highest form – lacking strong organizational cohesion and cooperative government – its reform policies are ultimately prone to failure.