The global success of neoliberalism has usually been associated with extreme forms of
free economic behavior of people and societies. However, countries as diverse as Chile,
Hungary, Turkey, and Russia, along with the deepening of their neoliberal projects, have
also experienced an increase in authoritarian practice. This interaction has built a multifaceted
relationship between neoliberalism and its coexistence within democracies. How
do neoliberal regimes cultivate social consensus among their populace? How do tolerance
and acceptance intersect with governmental authorities, institutional frameworks,
and socioeconomic structures?
‘Flexible Authoritarianism: Cultivating Ambition and Loyalty in Russia’ by Anna
Schwenck explores these themes, investigating how neoliberalism contributes to authoritarianism
and vice versa. The book explores the dialectical relationship between these
two social phenomena in contemporary Russia. She introduces the concept of Flexible
Authoritarianism, a governance model intertwining neoliberal and authoritarian practices.