Modern Methods of Authoritarian Rule

Christopher Walker, Freedom House vice president for strategy and analysis, spoke on a panel January 23 at Columbia University about the methods used by authoritarian states to cling to power. He emphasized that modern authoritarian regimes are using sophisticated methods to exert control at home and influence abroad. Beyond their borders, these regimes devote considerable resources to hinder the work of regional and global rules-based institutions and invest heavily in foreign media to shape perceptions and decisions. The event was held as part of the launch of "Inside the Authoritarian State," the Journal of International Affair's Fall/Winter 2011 issue.