Resisting Backsliding: Opposition Strategies against the Erosion of Democracy

In the past two decades, democratically elected executives across the world have used their popularity to push for legislation that, over time, destroys systems of checks and balances, hinders free and fair elections, and undermines political rights and civil liberties. Using and abusing institutions and institutional reform, some executives have transformed their countries' democracies into competitive authoritarian regimes. Others, however, have failed to erode democracy. What explains these different outcomes? Resisting Backsliding answers this question. With a focus on the cases of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela and Alvaro Uribe in Colombia, the book shows that the strategies and goals of the opposition are key to understanding why some executives successfully erode democracy and others do not. By highlighting the role of the opposition, this book emphasizes the importance of agency for understanding democratic backsliding and shows that even weak oppositions can defeat strong potential autocrats.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction; 2, Opposition Strategies Against the Erosion of Democracy, 3, Electing Leaders with Hegemonic Aspirations; 4, 'Chávez Vete Ya': The Erosion of Democracy in Venezuela; 5, Preventing the Erosion of Democracy in Colombia; 6, Opposition Strategies Elsewhere; 7, Conclusion.

About the Author :
Laura Gamboa is an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah. Her research focuses on regime change, institutions and voting behavior in Latin America.

Review :
'At a time when democracy is under threat around the world, Gamboa's impressively researched and cogently argued book about Venezuela and Colombia spotlights how a democratic opposition that plays by the institutional rules can thwart the ambitions of aspiring autocrats to consolidate power. Resisting Backsliding is essential reading for students of comparative democracies.' Frances Hagopian, Harvard University 'The most urgent question for democrats today is not 'Why do voters support leaders with authoritarian aspirations?' but 'How can we confront those leaders once they are in power?' Gamboa offers answers grounded in rigorous comparative research and in sound normative principles. This book charts the path for a new research agenda.' Aníbal Pérez-Liñán, University of Notre Dame 'Although democratic erosion has generated much scholarly attention in recent years, we still know little about how to stop it. Resisting Backsliding helps fill that gap. In this well-researched and carefully argued book, Laura Gamboa highlights the critical role of opposition strategy in determining whether elected autocrats succeed or fail. This book is a must-read for anyone concerned about democratic backsliding in the contemporary world.' Steven Levitsky, Harvard University '… This book stakes out an important piece of territory in the theoretical landscape and deserves attention from all scholars interested in the dynamics of democratic erosion and survival.' Laura Gamboa, Perspective of Politics