UABDivulga - Barcelona recerca i innovació

Autocracies extend voting rights to repress and co-opt their citizens abroad while legitimising their rule domestically and internationally. The study reveals that regimes carefully assess the risks based on the composition and location of their diasporas. Diasporas residing in democratic countries are often perceived as a threat due to their ability to organise and mobilise against the regime (democratic destination effect). Political refugees, especially, are often vocal critics of their home regimes and capable of organising opposition (hostile diaspora effect). These risks make autocracies hesitant to extend voting rights to diasporas in such environments.

Moreover, the study highlights that successful coups can significantly increase the likelihood of diaspora enfranchisement. New regimes, eager to bolster their legitimacy both domestically and internationally, use voting rights as a signal of democratic intent. This strategy helps them foster goodwill with foreign powers and co-opt influential members of the diaspora, transforming potential critics into allies.

Beyond legitimacy, granting voting rights allows regimes to monitor and potentially suppress dissent among citizens abroad. Voter registration, voting in person, and election campaigns serve as mechanisms for gathering information on opposition activities and identifying support bases, extending the regime’s reach beyond its borders.

This research provides valuable insights into the strategies of autocracies in diaspora enfranchisement. By selectively adopting democratic practices, these regimes aim to reinforce their control, demonstrating that democratic institutions can be repurposed to serve authoritarian goals.