Kleptocracy, authoritarianism and democracy as ideal types of political power

This article explores kleptocracy, authoritarianism and democracy as sociological ideal types of the exercise of political power. Kleptocracy is theorized as an ideal type which uses coercion as its primary power resource, while both authoritarianism and democracy are based upon authority, defined a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of political power Vol. 16; no. 3; pp. 345 - 378
Main Author Haugaard, Mark
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Routledge 02.09.2023
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Authoritarianism
authority
Coercion
Democracy
Epistemology
Ideal types
Kleptocracy
Legitimacy
Ontology
Political power
Social epistemology
Sociology
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Summary:This article explores kleptocracy, authoritarianism and democracy as sociological ideal types of the exercise of political power. Kleptocracy is theorized as an ideal type which uses coercion as its primary power resource, while both authoritarianism and democracy are based upon authority, defined as a belief in legitimacy. Where authoritarianism and democracy differ is how a belief in legitimacy is obtained. These differences and similarities are explored with reference to the four dimensions of political power, which consist of agency, structure, social epistemology and social ontology.
ISSN:2158-379X
2158-3803
DOI:10.1080/2158379X.2023.2194712