Autocratic Legalism Kim Lane Scheppele !exclusive! May 2026
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.
Here is a concise, high-quality post summarizing the concept and its importance. autocratic legalism kim lane scheppele
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. In her landmark work, she defines as a
“The most effective autocracies of the 21st century are not lawless. They are lawyers.” – Adapting Scheppele In her landmark work