A comprehensive assessment of the nature and evolving character of authoritarian regimes, their changing character and the main theoretical explanations of their incidence, character and performance. The third edition covers the rise of new forms of disguised dictatorship and semi-competitive democracy in the 21st Century.

Paul Brooker was formerly Senior Lecturer in Politics at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

Introduction
1. Theoretical Approaches
2. Monarchical and Personal Rule
3. Establishing Military Rule
4. Establishing One-Party Rule
5. Consolidation, Legitimacy and Control
6. Non-Democratic Governance
7. Governance and State-Building
8. Democratization and Rationalization
9. A New Phase and Format: Disguised Dictatorship
Conclusion.