Autocratic - Legalism Kim Lane Scheppele Upd

Kim Lane Scheppele autocratic legalism as the process where democratically elected leaders use their electoral mandates to systematically dismantle the constitutional system through legal and constitutional means. Unlike 20th-century autocrats who relied on military coups, modern "legalistic autocrats" weaponize the law to consolidate power, hollowing out liberal democratic values while maintaining a "veneer of legality". Paper Outline: Autocratic Legalism I. Introduction Definition

• Hungary (Viktor Orbán and Fidesz): The "post-communist" country that most fully realized autocratic legalism, including a new constitution in 2012 and systematic capture of courts, media, and academia.
• Poland (Jarosław Kaczyński and PiS): Similar tactics, especially the prolonged assault on the Constitutional Tribunal and ordinary judiciary, leading to rule-of-law disputes with the European Union.

Distinctive features vs. other authoritarian tactics autocratic legalism kim lane scheppele upd

Kim Lane Scheppele's concept of autocratic legalism describes a modern phenomenon where democratically elected leaders use their electoral mandates to dismantle the constitutional systems they inherited through strictly legal means. Unlike traditional military coups, these leaders rely on "teams of lawyers" rather than tanks to consolidate power and remain in office indefinitely. Core Mechanisms of Autocratic Legalism Kim Lane Scheppele autocratic legalism as the process