Teaching classic works on autocracy

Darin Sanders Self

Chapter 1 in Teaching Autocracy and Autocratic Politics, 2026, pp 9-27 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter addresses the pedagogical value of incorporating classic works on autocracy into courses on comparative authoritarianism. Classic works are often more difficult for students to comprehend and may appear divorced from contemporary issues related to autocracy. However, these works provide an essential foundation to help students understand the scope of what autocracy can become, how past autocracies shape contemporary democracies and autocracies, how structure affects autocratization, and how debates over autocracy have shifted over time. In addition to outlining the value of using these works, I also provide some direction on how to teach these complex texts and offer some suggestions on alternative modes of teaching around the classics.

Keywords: Classic Texts; Authoritarianism; Classic vs Modern Autocracy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035353453
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