MICRO-SCOPE: Unraveling Micro-Foundations of Challenges to Democracy through the Applications of Smart Repression and Polarization
The MICRO-SCOPE project examines contemporary threats to democracy by exploring how ‘smart’ repression and polarization are used to legitimize anti-democratic practices and delegitimize dissent. Over the past two decades, (aspiring) authoritarian leaders have increasingly relied on subtle and sophisticated methods to suppress opposition while maintaining a façade of democratic governance. They often manipulate public discourse through polarizing narratives, framing anti-democratic measures as ‘necessary’ for the public good. Using survey experiments conducted in Turkey, Hungary, and Slovakia, the project investigates the effectiveness of these strategies and the conditions under which citizens perceive repression as justified. Overall, MICRO-SCOPE deepens our understanding of authoritarian resilience and democratic backsliding in the 21st century, offering both empirical insights and practical implications for defenders of democratic values operating in increasingly repressive environments. (Project No: 09I03-03-V04-00609)
Funder: VAIA
Coordinator(s): Dr. Ilker Kalin
Duration: September 1 2024 – July 31, 2026
