Authoritarian Gravity Centers: A Cross-Regional Study of Authoritarian Promotion and Diffusion - Authoritarian Gravity Centers: A Cross-Regional Study of Authoritarian Promotion and Diffusion -

I. Concept Automatization and its Pull and Push Factors - A Challenge for Comparative Research Introduction Conceptualizing Comparative Research on Autocratization: Theoretical, Conceptual, and Methodological Implications Conceptualizing External Mechanisms: Discussing Autocracy Promotion and Diffusion The Design of the Inter-Regional Analysis - Structure of the Book Notes References Conceptualizing Authoritarian Gravity Centers Sources and Addressees, Mechanisms and Motives of Authoritarian Pressure and Attraction Introduction The International Dimension of Autocratization Authoritarian Gravity Centres (AGCs): The Concept AGCs and Regional Hegemons Motives of AGCs Modes of Authoritarian Influence Structural Variables and the Arenas of Interaction Tracing Promotion and Diffusion Conclusion Notes References II. Empirical Studies on Authoritarian Gravity Centers Kingdom of Gravity: Autocratic Promotion and Diffusion in Saudi Arabia Approaching the Arabian Peninsula via the Concept of AGC Saudi Arabia’s Gravitational Force: Uncovering Mechanisms of Promotion and Diffusion The Kingdom Seizes Control over the Arabian Peninsula The Power of Incentives and Autocratic Promotion through Hard Leverage Behind the Scenes: The Power of Subtle Leverage Emulation: It Is Always Better Together Demonstration Effects: Mimicry at Place The Temptation of Authoritarianism: Explaining the Motives of the AGC and TS Motives of the AGC to Exert Influence Uncovering the Promotion Side Uncovering the Diffusion Side Attraction and Reaction: The Target States and Autocratic Diffusion Reactions to Saudi Promotion Efforts Reactions to Saudi Diffusion Efforts Conclusion Notes References Democratic Erosion and Autocratization in Latin America: The Role of Venezuela as an Authoritarian Gravity Center Introduction Venezuela as Protagonist of Democratic Erosion in the Region - Defining the Sample Explaining the How: Empirical Analysis of Venezuela’s Autocratic Influence in the Region Hard Leverage Exporting Media Control Sponsoring of Bolivarian Candidates Subtle Leverage Providing Advice for the Constitutional Reform and Power Concentration Securing Ideological Allegiance within and through ALBA Emulation Seeking Advice for the Process of Constitutional Rewriting Copying Measures for National and Regional Defense Demonstration Effects Adopting Chavez’s Ideational Toolbox Orienting toward Venezuela’s Methods of Securing Communicational Hegemony Copying Techniques of Pinholes against Independent Media Coverage Explaining the Why: Uncovering the Motives for Autocracy Promotion and Adoption of Autocratic Elements Uncovering Chavez's Motives for Autocracy Promotion Uncovering the Reaction of the Target States: Welcoming Venezuela’s Support Venezuela as an Attractive Role Model The Target States: Motives for Adopting Elements from the AGC Evaluation of the Findings Conclusion Notes References Kazakhstan: A Possible Future Authoritarian Gravity Center?Introduction Kazakhstan as an Authoritarian Gravity Center Authoritarianism Economic Growth International Engagement Central Asia: A ‘Contested’ Region with Multiple Authoritarian Players Evidence from Expert Interviews: Motives of Kazakhstan as an AGC Promotion of the Kazakhstani Model Preventing Instability Evidence from Expert Interviews: Mechanisms and Outcomes Socialization of Elites and Bureaucracies Interaction of Think Tanks Еmulation Evidence from Expert Interviews: Is Kazakhstan an AGC or Just a Potential One?Kazakhstan’s “Involvement” in Kyrgyzstan’s Presidential Elections Background The Conflict A Case of Autocracy Promotion?A Case of Authoritarian Foreign Policy?Conclusion Notes References III. The International Dimension of Authoritarianism Revisited Russia’s Effects on a Consolidated Democracy: The Erosion of Democracy in Hungary and the Putin Model Introduction The Hungarian Case and Authoritarian Diffusion The Putin Model Hungary’s Constitutional Transformation The Judiciary The Media Electoral System Civil Society Conclusion Notes References Iran and Its Neighbors: Military Assistance as Support for Authoritarianism Introduction International Dimension of Authoritarianism: Recent Theoretical Developments and Debates Understanding Motives and Mechanisms A Brief Introduction to Iran and Its Foreign Policy Iran and the Promotion of Authoritarianism Syria: A Case of Military Intervention Iraq: A Case of Political and Military Support Conclusion Notes References Networking with Chinese Characteristics: China’s Party-to-Party Relations in Asia Introduction The External Relations of the CCP’s International Department Empirical Trends in the CCP’s Engagement in Asia The CCP in Asia: Five Explorative Case Studies The CCP in Vietnam: Like Will Do Like Despite Tensions The CCP and Cambodia: From a Multi-Actor Approach to Backing the Ruling Party The CCP and Myanmar: Keeping Up with Changing Domestic Power Structures The CCP and Mongolia: No Easy Game The CCP and Japan: Bridge over Troubled Waters Comparative Analysis and Concluding Remarks Notes References Spreading Cyber-Autocracy? The Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Diffusion of Norms of “Internet Sovereignty”Introduction Autocratic Cooperation and Resistance in the SCO Security Cooperation Economic Cooperation Cvbersecurity Cooperation Conclusion Notes References IV. Authoritarian Gravity Centers in Cross-Regional Comparison Authoritarian Gravity Centers in Cross-Regional Comparison: Future Studies and the International Dimension of Authoritarianism Introduction Summary of Results: Venezuela, Saudi Arabia,Cross Regional Comparison: The Hotv, What, and Why Prospects for Further Research: The AGC Revisited Note References Notes on Contributors