August 5, 2025

Against Authoritarian Determinism

Key Points

MAIN FINDING: Authoritarianism often appears as an inevitable outcome, but this view oversimplifies political dynamics.
KEY EVIDENCE: Distinct political contexts show different trajectories, challenging the idea of a singular path to authoritarianism.
APPROACH: Examines Israel's political landscape to explore the threats to democracy amidst rising authoritarian views.
SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding these nuances can help in strategizing to protect democratic processes in various countries.

Abstract

A tempting but corrosive thought about Israeli politics – and about many other places – is that we have already embarked on a one-way road to authoritarianism. This “authoritarian determinism”, sometimes presented as a kind of seasoned realism, assumes that political trajectories continue unidirectionally. There is a world of difference between the many political contexts in which authoritarianism seems to be on the rise. And yet, a common question seems to be asked: in the face of authoritarian determinism, what can be saved of the democratic process? Until when does it make sense to hold on?

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Itamar Mann (Sat,) studied this question.

www.synapsesocial.com/papers/689a0f93e6551bb0af8d130c — DOI: https://doi.org/10.59704/509e2a631123e187

Against Authoritarian Determinism

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