"The Anatomy of the Authoritarian Security Apparatus" (AASAP) is a three-year project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Co-led by Christian Gläßel from the Hertie School’s Centre for International Security and Adam Scharpf from the University of Copenhagen, AASAP seeks to expose the inner workings of autocratic regimes and dismantle the intricate fabric of authoritarian security structures.
Project Overview
Autocracies are notorious for severe state repression and illegal power grabs. The security apparatus is the key player in both these domains. AASAP dissects the authoritarian security apparatus, scrutinizes the officers who serve within it, and uncovers which officers engage in acts of repression and coup attempts.
Key Research Questions
1. Who are the officers participating in acts of repression and why?
2. Who are the officers involved in coup attempts and why?
Unified Theory
The theoretical framework revolves around the nexus of organizational promotion systems and career pressures of individual officers. It posits that officers who are stuck in their pursuit of professional advancement have an incentive to demonstrate allegiance to the incumbent regime by executing repressive orders. Conversely, these officers might also be inclined to participate in coup attempts as a strategic means to position themselves favorably for potential advancement under a new regime.
Empirical Strategy
Empirically, the project primarily draws on the rich historical contexts of autocratic Argentina and Nazi Germany. These cases provide a unique opportunity to access and study archival information, enabling the project to compile individual-level career data for all members of two distinct officer corps: the Argentine Army and the German Schutzstaffel (SS).
In essence, "The Anatomy of the Authoritarian Security Apparatus" identifies mundane career pressures as prime drivers for officers to become agents of repression or to partake in coup endeavors. Through a rigorous and systematic investigation of historical cases, the project helps us understand the interplay between security apparatus, individual officers, and the regimes they serve.
