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Their wordsIn the 20th century, the practice of holding elections was often used to determine whether a country could be classified as a democracy. Today, as “electoral autocracies” take hold around the world, that’s no longer the case.
Our reading
Many illiberal leaders win power through elections and then rig the system to stay in office.
Their wordsMany illiberal leaders come to power through elections and then manipulate the electoral system to get the results they need to stay in office.
Their wordsKeeping elections going covers their despotism with a veneer of freedom, which is useful for getting foreign loans
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