Authoritarian Regimes Global Governance

Catalog description

This course examines how authoritarian regimes navigate and reshape global governance. As autocracies govern a majority of the world’s population and have emerged as central players in major international institutions, understanding their role in global politics is essential. The course introduces core concepts and classifications of authoritarianism before analyzing authoritarian states’ behavior and impact. Substantive modules explore authoritarian regimes across key domains of international relations: security, human rights, international trade, and global finance. Building on these analyses, the course examines the emergence of “clubs of autocrats” – IOs dominated by authoritarian states – as well as authoritarian interactions with liberal institutions. The final weeks focus on the rise of China and debates over the future of global governance amid growing authoritarian influence. Throughout the course, students engage with cutting-edge research, conduct original research, and receive structured feedback through workshops. The course is suitable for advanced undergraduate students interested in international relations, comparative politics, and global governance.