Autocratic Legalism Kim Lane Scheppele !!hot!! -

“The most effective autocracies of the 21st century are not lawless. They are lawyers.” – Adapting Scheppele

In her landmark work, she defines as a strategy where incumbents use the forms of law—constitutions, statutes, courts, amendments—to dismantle democracy from within. autocratic legalism kim lane scheppele

Most people assume autocracies rule by brute force or outright lawlessness. Kim Lane Scheppele flips this script. “The most effective autocracies of the 21st century

Here is a concise, high-quality post summarizing the concept and its importance. but by weaponizing it.

This is an excellent topic, as Kim Lane Scheppele’s work on has become foundational for understanding how contemporary authoritarian regimes use law—not by discarding it, but by weaponizing it.