Encyclopedia Tyrannica - A Research Guide to Authoritarianism

The Encyclopedia Tyrannica transcends the conventional boundaries of an encyclopedia, serving as a comprehensive research guide for scholars, students, and experts in the fields of authoritarianism and democratization. It delves deep into the historical, theoretical, and methodological underpinnings of key concepts while providing exhaustive literature reviews and exploring their varied applications across different world regions. Recognizing the challenges posed by the expanding landscape of authoritarian studies, over thirty experts collaborated to streamline the vast literature, exposing blind spots and accounting for nuances.
Whether seeking foundational knowledge or navigating specialized topics, the 'Tyrannica' stands as the definitive resource in dictatorship studies. By bridging gaps between theory and practice, novice and expert, it aims to foster a deeper understanding of autocratic regimes, their classifications, features, actors, behavior, worldviews, and transitions.
Designed with a structured approach, the 'Tyrannica' organizes entries logically, offering both alphabetical and thematic arrangements in seven sections. Additional information boxes enhance understanding by providing context-specific examples and understudied aspects. Intended as the quintessential reference for scholars and students alike, this encyclopedia extends beyond academia to policymakers and experts, offering a systemic overview of dictatorship studies and its intersections with democratization research. Area study experts will find alternative theories and regional variations elucidated, while educators can utilize the book as a teaching aid.
This book was co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union within the M.O.R.D.O.R. project (2021-1-PL01-KA220-HED-000023034).

Didactic Companion

The Didactic Companion to the Encyclopedia Tyrannica offers a comprehensive and innovative pedagogical resource for educators and students navigating the complex terrain of comparative authoritarianism and democratization. Rooted in the interdisciplinary expertise of its contributors and the collaborative efforts of the M.O.R.D.O.R. project, this companion bridges scholarly research with practical classroom application, providing structured learning outcomes, detailed lesson plans, and methodological insights tailored to contemporary political realities. By addressing critical challenges such as conceptual blind spots, regional biases, and the pitfalls of regime classification, the companion equips users with the tools to foster critical thinking and meaningful engagement with the dynamics of dictatorship and democracy across diverse global contexts. Its modular design and emphasis on flexibility allow for easy integration into existing curricula.

https://ibidem-verlag.de/pdf/1882_didactic_companion.pdf

About the author

Editors
Dr Jeroen J.J. Van den Bosch studied Area Studies (Slavonic Studies) and Political Science (International Relations) at the Catholic University in Leuven (Belgium) and Poznań (Adam Mickiewicz University [AMU]). Since 2018, he works as an Erasmus+ project coordinator at AMU, raising funds and managing complex, consortium-based, educational projects. His previous projects include: EISCAS, EISIPS, M.O.R.D.O.R., CAGHAN-P. In parallel, he is active as an independent scholar and has written Personalist Rule in Africa and Other World Regions (Routledge, 2021) and co-edited The European handbook of Central Asian Studies: History, Politics, and Societies (ibidem-Verlag, 2021), Handbook of Indo-Pacific Studies (Routledge, 2023), and Research Handbook on Authoritarianism (Edward Elgar, 2024). His research fields encompass theories of dictatorships, their classification, autocratic cooperation democratization, political regimes theories, sub-Saharan Africa and Central Asia. This Encyclopedia Tyrannica was created in the frame of the M.O.R.D.O.R. project, of which J. Van den Bosch is the project coordinator.
Dr Natasha Lindstaedt is Professor of Government at the University of Essex, where she also serves as the Faculty Dean for Education in the Social Sciences. Dr Lindstaedt’s research focuses on authoritarian regimes, governance, democratic backsliding, and human security.  She has published extensively on these topics including Dictators and Dictatorships (Bloomsbury, 2011), The Politics of Dictatorships (Lynne Rienner, 2011), Failed States and Institutional Decay (Bloomsbury, 2013), Democracies and Authoritarian Regimes (Oxford University Press, 2019), Democratic Decay and Authoritarian Resurgence (Bristol University Press, 2021), and, most recently, the Research Handbook on Authoritarianism (Edward Elgar, 2024). At the University of Essex, she has taught courses in Authoritarian Politics, State Building and Governance, International Development, International Security, Latin American Politics, Asian Politics, and Middle East Politics.  In addition to her teaching and research, she has consulted for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission of Western Asia, and has worked on projects with the European Union External Action Service and IDEA International.

Summary

The Encyclopedia Tyrannica transcends the conventional boundaries of an encyclopedia, serving as a comprehensive research guide for scholars, students, and experts in the fields of authoritarianism and democratization. It delves deep into the historical, theoretical, and methodological underpinnings of key concepts while providing exhaustive literature reviews and exploring their varied applications across different world regions. Recognizing the challenges posed by the expanding landscape of authoritarian studies, over thirty experts collaborated to streamline the vast literature, exposing blind spots and accounting for nuances.
Whether seeking foundational knowledge or navigating specialized topics, the ‘Tyrannica’ stands as the definitive resource in dictatorship studies. By bridging gaps between theory and practice, novice and expert, it aims to foster a deeper understanding of autocratic regimes, their classifications, features, actors, behavior, worldviews, and transitions.
Designed with a structured approach, the ‘Tyrannica’ organizes entries logically, offering both alphabetical and thematic arrangements in seven sections. Additional information boxes enhance understanding by providing context-specific examples and understudied aspects. Intended as the quintessential reference for scholars and students alike, this encyclopedia extends beyond academia to policymakers and experts, offering a systemic overview of dictatorship studies and its intersections with democratization research. Area study experts will find alternative theories and regional variations elucidated, while educators can utilize the book as a teaching aid.
This book was co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union within the M.O.R.D.O.R. project (2021-1-PL01-KA220-HED-000023034).

Didactic Companion

The Didactic Companion to the Encyclopedia Tyrannica offers a comprehensive and innovative pedagogical resource for educators and students navigating the complex terrain of comparative authoritarianism and democratization. Rooted in the interdisciplinary expertise of its contributors and the collaborative efforts of the M.O.R.D.O.R. project, this companion bridges scholarly research with practical classroom application, providing structured learning outcomes, detailed lesson plans, and methodological insights tailored to contemporary political realities. By addressing critical challenges such as conceptual blind spots, regional biases, and the pitfalls of regime classification, the companion equips users with the tools to foster critical thinking and meaningful engagement with the dynamics of dictatorship and democracy across diverse global contexts. Its modular design and emphasis on flexibility allow for easy integration into existing curricula. 

https://ibidem-verlag.de/pdf/1882_didactic_companion.pdf

Additional text

“For too long, the study of autocracies has existed in multiple subject bubbles with limited cross-referencing between each. This has meant that the study of autocracies has largely developed in silos. The Encyclopedia Tyrannica provides detailed analysis of the extent of authoritarian studies, bringing together entries from across disciplines to offer a light to a wide – and often confusing – subject. The encyclopedia will provide academics, students and policymakers with a clearer understanding of how these regimes operate, survive and in some cases flourish. The volume is essential reading for those interested in authoritarian regimes or specific topics pertaining to autocracies.”
—Stephen Hall, Assistant Professor in Russian and Post-Soviet Politics, University of Bath

Report

"This Encyclopedia is the outcome of an ambitious and massive endeavour. The entries offer not only conceptual clarity and theoretical discussion, but also information on measurement and methodological implications. Such approach represents a great innovation making this work a comprehensive and valuable source of information for anyone interested in autocratic politics."
-Abel Escribà-Folch, Associate Professor of Political Science, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Catalunya)

Product details

• Assisted by: Lindstaedt (Editor), Natasha Lindstaedt (Editor), Jeroen Van Den Bosch (Editor)
• Publisher: ibidem
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 02.05.2025
• EAN: 9783838218823
• ISBN: 978-3-8382-1882-3
• Dimensions: 177 mm x 52 mm x 250 mm
• Weight: 1760 g
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Political science > General, dictionaries; Autoritarismus, Lexikon, Politik, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Ideologies / General, Politische Ideologie, Authoritarianism, Encyclopedia, Political Ideology