Flexible Authoritarianism

Autorentext

Anna Schwenck, Teacher of Sociology, Department of Social Sciences at Siegen University, Germany

Klappentext

Flexible Authoritarianism challenges the idea that the transnational rise of authoritarianism is a backlash against economic globalization and neoliberal capitalism. Flexible authoritarianism--a form of government that simultaneously incentivizes a can-do spirit and suppresses dissent--reflects the resonance between authoritarian and neoliberal ideologies in today's comeback of strongman rule. Drawing on extensive fieldwork, Anna Schwenk critically evaluates how loyalty to the regime--the order underlying political and economic life in a polity--is produced and contested among those young people who seek key positions in politics, business, the public sector, or creative industries.

Zusammenfassung
Flexible Authoritarianism challenges the idea that the transnational rise of authoritarianism is a backlash against economic globalization and neoliberal capitalism. Flexible authoritarianism--a form of government that simultaneously incentivizes a can-do spirit and suppresses dissent--reflects the resonance between authoritarian and neoliberal ideologies in today's comeback of strongman rule. The book conveys the look and feel of flexible authoritarianism in Russia through the eyes of up-and-coming youth. Drawing on field observations, in-depth interviews, and analyses of documents and video clips, Anna Schwenck demonstrates how flexible authoritarianism is stabilized ideologically by the insignia of cool start-up capitalism and by familiar cultural forms such as the summer camp. It critically evaluates how loyalty to the regime--the order underlying political and economic life in a polity--is produced and contested among those young people who seek key positions in politics, business, the public sector, or creative industries.

Inhalt

• 1: Introduction: Flexible Authoritarianism, Loyalty, and Quests for Change

• 2: Interlude: Entrepreneurial Start-Up Culture Meets Soviet-Style Suspicions: Reflections on Two Russian Youth-Leadership Camps

• 3: Soviet Traditions in Service of Flexible Authoritarianism

• 4: How Flexible Authoritarianism Looks and Feels

• 5: Loyal Youths' Individualist Quests for Change: Self-Development for the Good of All

• 6: Professionalizing Patriots: The Branding and Staging of Heroic Masculinity

• 7: Conclusion