Trends in Political Science Research: Elite Behavior in Autocracies

Abstract

The persistence of authoritarian rule and global democratic backsliding has drawn sustained scholarly attention on elite behavior in autocracies. Drawing on research published between 2018 and 2025, this review identifies four major strands in the literature: dictator– elite dynamics in power-sharing, elites’ engagement with authoritarian institutions, intra-elite competition and bargaining, and elite behavior during and after regime transitions. Recent studies have also introduced alternatives to rationalist approaches, emphasizing contingency, routines, and non-rational decision-making. The review concludes by calling for greater attention to how dictators combine personnel management strategies, how elites navigate intraelite relations, and how more diverse country cases can expand comparative knowledge on elite behavior.