Stabilizing Authoritarian Rule: The Role of International Institutions

This project investigates the rise of authoritarian international organizations: regional institutions whose members are—on average—authoritarian. Aside from the Warsaw Pact, during the Cold War most of these authoritarian regional international organizations were formed by developing countries, typically to pursue economic objectives. In recent years, however, there have been two important developments. The first is the rise of regional organizations anchored by the two authoritarian great powers, Russia and China. The second is a deepening of political and security cooperation among developing countries in high-conflict regions, including particularly Africa and the Middle East, the latter led in particular by the Gulf monarchies. Prior to its current collapse, Venezuela led such an effort in Latin America as well.

This project catalogues these organizations, tracks their rising influence, and studies their activities and impact. Our researchers show that authoritarian organizations play an increasing role as aid donors, election monitors, and even as partners to the West in counterterrorism and peacekeeping. Yet, they pursue objectives that are often at odds with U.S. foreign policy goals. Authoritarian regional organizations are locking in great power influence, blunting the prospects for more democratic rule, and influencing the course of economic policy in ways that challenge an open world economy.