Kleptocracy, authoritarianism and democracy as ideal types of political power

ABSTRACT

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Kleptocracy
• authoritarianism
• democracy
• authority
• political power

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank the organisers and audience of the 8th International Power Conference Helsinki, 2022 for their comments upon the original oral presentation of this paper. Special thanks Pertti Alasuutari, Risto Heiskala, and Mona Lilja for their comments upon an earlier draft of this paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mark Haugaard

Mark Haugaard is Professor of Political Science and Sociology at the University of Galway, Ireland. He is the founder editor of the Journal of Political Power, published by Routledge. He has published extensively upon power and his recent publications includes: The Four Dimensions of Power: understanding domination, empowerment and democracy, 2020, Manchester University Press.