Democratic enclaves in autocratising political regimes: case of cities

In recent years, a new research agenda on autocratisation has emerged (Cassani and Tomini 2018; Lührman and Lindberg, 2019; Skaaning, 2020; Kneuer and Demmelhuber, 2020; Croissant and Tomini, 2024), mirroring the deterioration of democracy and transition to autocracy in various states, including consolidated democracies, new democratic regimes, and even authoritarian regimes intensifying their autocratic features. Surprisingly, one dimension that remains inadequately integrated within conventional analytical frameworks is the territorial dimension of the process.
The aim of the proposed open panel is to contribute to filling this research gap in and to discuss the role of cities worldwide in shaping the political regime of the states which have experienced the autocratisation at the national level. It will focus on the possibility of hindering this process at the local territorial level by cities playing in this case a role of resisting democratic enclaves. It is important to investigate different cases to find the answer to the questions about factors facilitating (or hindering) this role as well as activities of city authorities that make this role effective or ineffective. For this purpose, the proposed panel will include both single case studies and comparative analyses (regional and cross-regional) of cities in the states which have experienced autocratisation. Qualitative and quantitative analyses made by scholars at different stages of their academic careers will be all equally welcomed.