Adam Scharpf
@ascharpf.bsky.social
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen | Researching dictatorships and the dark side of politics | https://www.adamscharpf.net/
#3
While the Eurovision participant countries represent a rather coherent group of democracies, this is different for tonight's Intervision event.
Many of the participating countries have governments that systematically violate the civil liberties of their citizens.
While the Eurovision participant countries represent a rather coherent group of democracies, this is different for tonight's Intervision event.
Many of the participating countries have governments that systematically violate the civil liberties of their citizens.
September 20, 2025 at 3:56 PM
#3
While the Eurovision participant countries represent a rather coherent group of democracies, this is different for tonight's Intervision event.
Many of the participating countries have governments that systematically violate the civil liberties of their citizens.
While the Eurovision participant countries represent a rather coherent group of democracies, this is different for tonight's Intervision event.
Many of the participating countries have governments that systematically violate the civil liberties of their citizens.
#2
This is in stark contrast to the Eurovision song contest, where most participant countries are fully fledged democracies.
Average polyarchy score of Eurovision finalists: 0.8
Average polyarchy score of Intervision finalists: 0.3
This is in stark contrast to the Eurovision song contest, where most participant countries are fully fledged democracies.
Average polyarchy score of Eurovision finalists: 0.8
Average polyarchy score of Intervision finalists: 0.3
September 20, 2025 at 3:56 PM
#2
This is in stark contrast to the Eurovision song contest, where most participant countries are fully fledged democracies.
Average polyarchy score of Eurovision finalists: 0.8
Average polyarchy score of Intervision finalists: 0.3
This is in stark contrast to the Eurovision song contest, where most participant countries are fully fledged democracies.
Average polyarchy score of Eurovision finalists: 0.8
Average polyarchy score of Intervision finalists: 0.3
#1:
There are a lot of autocracies and dictatorships participating in Putin's alternative song contest.
Quite a few are BRICS members and close allies of Russia.
There are a lot of autocracies and dictatorships participating in Putin's alternative song contest.
Quite a few are BRICS members and close allies of Russia.
September 20, 2025 at 3:56 PM
#1:
There are a lot of autocracies and dictatorships participating in Putin's alternative song contest.
Quite a few are BRICS members and close allies of Russia.
There are a lot of autocracies and dictatorships participating in Putin's alternative song contest.
Quite a few are BRICS members and close allies of Russia.
The new issue of @worldpolitics.bsky.social also includes a contribution from me 🥳
The article studies the targeted use of foreign influence campaigns. It examines an exchange program of a young Harvard scholar & one of the most influential politicians of the 20th century.
1/
The article studies the targeted use of foreign influence campaigns. It examines an exchange program of a young Harvard scholar & one of the most influential politicians of the 20th century.
1/
July 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
The new issue of @worldpolitics.bsky.social also includes a contribution from me 🥳
The article studies the targeted use of foreign influence campaigns. It examines an exchange program of a young Harvard scholar & one of the most influential politicians of the 20th century.
1/
The article studies the targeted use of foreign influence campaigns. It examines an exchange program of a young Harvard scholar & one of the most influential politicians of the 20th century.
1/
Thanks to everyone who provided invaluable feedback along the way!
@sharangrewal.bsky.social @jcaverley.bsky.social @carlammm.bsky.social
@sharangrewal.bsky.social @jcaverley.bsky.social @carlammm.bsky.social
April 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Thanks to everyone who provided invaluable feedback along the way!
@sharangrewal.bsky.social @jcaverley.bsky.social @carlammm.bsky.social
@sharangrewal.bsky.social @jcaverley.bsky.social @carlammm.bsky.social
Using unique foreign training data, we show with lots of tests and different types of evidence that:
i) external counterinsurgency/counterterrorism training politicizes the military
ii) external training in conventional warfare does not
i) external counterinsurgency/counterterrorism training politicizes the military
ii) external training in conventional warfare does not
April 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Using unique foreign training data, we show with lots of tests and different types of evidence that:
i) external counterinsurgency/counterterrorism training politicizes the military
ii) external training in conventional warfare does not
i) external counterinsurgency/counterterrorism training politicizes the military
ii) external training in conventional warfare does not
After years in the making, our article is finally out in @worldpolitics.bsky.social!
Main takeaway:
Foreign military training does not equal foreign military training - it depends on what is taught to soldiers!
This has lots of implications for potentially harmful military aid.
Main takeaway:
Foreign military training does not equal foreign military training - it depends on what is taught to soldiers!
This has lots of implications for potentially harmful military aid.
April 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
After years in the making, our article is finally out in @worldpolitics.bsky.social!
Main takeaway:
Foreign military training does not equal foreign military training - it depends on what is taught to soldiers!
This has lots of implications for potentially harmful military aid.
Main takeaway:
Foreign military training does not equal foreign military training - it depends on what is taught to soldiers!
This has lots of implications for potentially harmful military aid.
I started the year with a great personal achievement.
After years in the making, our book manuscript is ready and under contract with Oxford University Press.
So stay tuned for deep insights into the security apparatus of dictatorships.
Small preview 👇
After years in the making, our book manuscript is ready and under contract with Oxford University Press.
So stay tuned for deep insights into the security apparatus of dictatorships.
Small preview 👇
March 5, 2025 at 12:58 PM
I started the year with a great personal achievement.
After years in the making, our book manuscript is ready and under contract with Oxford University Press.
So stay tuned for deep insights into the security apparatus of dictatorships.
Small preview 👇
After years in the making, our book manuscript is ready and under contract with Oxford University Press.
So stay tuned for deep insights into the security apparatus of dictatorships.
Small preview 👇
Are you an expert in dealing with lobby registers, transparency laws, corporate registers and the like?
You want to understand how autocrats and their regimes influence foreign democracies?
We (@alexdukalskis.bsky.social) have some funds to hire someone for some work on a freelance basis. ⬇️
You want to understand how autocrats and their regimes influence foreign democracies?
We (@alexdukalskis.bsky.social) have some funds to hire someone for some work on a freelance basis. ⬇️
August 21, 2024 at 6:42 AM
Are you an expert in dealing with lobby registers, transparency laws, corporate registers and the like?
You want to understand how autocrats and their regimes influence foreign democracies?
We (@alexdukalskis.bsky.social) have some funds to hire someone for some work on a freelance basis. ⬇️
You want to understand how autocrats and their regimes influence foreign democracies?
We (@alexdukalskis.bsky.social) have some funds to hire someone for some work on a freelance basis. ⬇️
Last week, Christian Gläßel and I kicked off our DFG-funded Anatomy of the Authoritarian Security Apparatus project w. a book workshop @hertiesecurity.bsky.social
Natasha Lindstaedt Erica Frantz @belengonzalez.bsky.social Kristen Harkness @smsaideman.bsky.social, @feiyonah.bsky.social Yuri Zhukov
Natasha Lindstaedt Erica Frantz @belengonzalez.bsky.social Kristen Harkness @smsaideman.bsky.social, @feiyonah.bsky.social Yuri Zhukov
April 9, 2024 at 3:46 PM
Last week, Christian Gläßel and I kicked off our DFG-funded Anatomy of the Authoritarian Security Apparatus project w. a book workshop @hertiesecurity.bsky.social
Natasha Lindstaedt Erica Frantz @belengonzalez.bsky.social Kristen Harkness @smsaideman.bsky.social, @feiyonah.bsky.social Yuri Zhukov
Natasha Lindstaedt Erica Frantz @belengonzalez.bsky.social Kristen Harkness @smsaideman.bsky.social, @feiyonah.bsky.social Yuri Zhukov
The paper offers a starting point for future research on dictators and their foreign helpers. So more to come…
April 3, 2024 at 1:42 PM
The paper offers a starting point for future research on dictators and their foreign helpers. So more to come…
We also study potential consequences. For example, we show that the PR firm usage increases subsequent US state visits.
April 3, 2024 at 1:42 PM
We also study potential consequences. For example, we show that the PR firm usage increases subsequent US state visits.
The paper offers numerous additional tests. For example, we zoom in on each logic using case studies.
April 3, 2024 at 1:42 PM
The paper offers numerous additional tests. For example, we zoom in on each logic using case studies.
We propose four logics that motivate authoritarian regimes to hire Western spin doctors and lobbying shops.
We find strong support for ‘maximizing publicity’ and ‘stabilizing support,’ and partial support for the other two logics.
We find strong support for ‘maximizing publicity’ and ‘stabilizing support,’ and partial support for the other two logics.
April 3, 2024 at 1:41 PM
We propose four logics that motivate authoritarian regimes to hire Western spin doctors and lobbying shops.
We find strong support for ‘maximizing publicity’ and ‘stabilizing support,’ and partial support for the other two logics.
We find strong support for ‘maximizing publicity’ and ‘stabilizing support,’ and partial support for the other two logics.
One might expect that PR firms are mostly hired by spin dictatorships.
However, our data shows that this is not the case. So, when and which dictatorships do hire PR firms?
However, our data shows that this is not the case. So, when and which dictatorships do hire PR firms?
April 3, 2024 at 1:40 PM
One might expect that PR firms are mostly hired by spin dictatorships.
However, our data shows that this is not the case. So, when and which dictatorships do hire PR firms?
However, our data shows that this is not the case. So, when and which dictatorships do hire PR firms?
US-based PR and lobbying firms have been in high demand across all types of authoritarian regimes.
April 3, 2024 at 1:39 PM
US-based PR and lobbying firms have been in high demand across all types of authoritarian regimes.
Which dictatorships hire Public Relations (PR) firms, under what conditions, and with what effects?
Christian Gläßel, @alexdukalskis.bsky.social, and I offer first answers with data on 7k contracts between autocracies and US-based PR firms (1945–2022).
Christian Gläßel, @alexdukalskis.bsky.social, and I offer first answers with data on 7k contracts between autocracies and US-based PR firms (1945–2022).
April 3, 2024 at 1:39 PM
Which dictatorships hire Public Relations (PR) firms, under what conditions, and with what effects?
Christian Gläßel, @alexdukalskis.bsky.social, and I offer first answers with data on 7k contracts between autocracies and US-based PR firms (1945–2022).
Christian Gläßel, @alexdukalskis.bsky.social, and I offer first answers with data on 7k contracts between autocracies and US-based PR firms (1945–2022).
Using original career and deployment data, we show that Argentina’s last dictatorship, i) selected competent officers for field posts and ii) co-opted those with uncertain loyalties by placing them closer to their home region.
March 13, 2024 at 12:51 PM
Using original career and deployment data, we show that Argentina’s last dictatorship, i) selected competent officers for field posts and ii) co-opted those with uncertain loyalties by placing them closer to their home region.
Our chapter reviews research on the competence-loyalty trade-off in the security apparatus of autocracies.
We then explain and show how autocrats balance competence and loyalty in the recruitment and geographic placement of field officers.
We then explain and show how autocrats balance competence and loyalty in the recruitment and geographic placement of field officers.
March 13, 2024 at 12:47 PM
Our chapter reviews research on the competence-loyalty trade-off in the security apparatus of autocracies.
We then explain and show how autocrats balance competence and loyalty in the recruitment and geographic placement of field officers.
We then explain and show how autocrats balance competence and loyalty in the recruitment and geographic placement of field officers.
Feeling honored, grateful, and also a little proud ☺️
I just received the Teacher of the Year award for my teaching in our Master's program. 🥳
Big thanks to my brilliant students. It's a pleasure teaching you 🙏
I just received the Teacher of the Year award for my teaching in our Master's program. 🥳
Big thanks to my brilliant students. It's a pleasure teaching you 🙏
January 24, 2024 at 12:45 PM
Feeling honored, grateful, and also a little proud ☺️
I just received the Teacher of the Year award for my teaching in our Master's program. 🥳
Big thanks to my brilliant students. It's a pleasure teaching you 🙏
I just received the Teacher of the Year award for my teaching in our Master's program. 🥳
Big thanks to my brilliant students. It's a pleasure teaching you 🙏
In a new paper, I analyze attendances at Kissinger's International Seminar at Harvard - one of the most prestigious exchange programs during the Cold War.
You can find the paper here: bitly.ws/34mZY
You can find the paper here: bitly.ws/34mZY
December 4, 2023 at 8:53 AM
In a new paper, I analyze attendances at Kissinger's International Seminar at Harvard - one of the most prestigious exchange programs during the Cold War.
You can find the paper here: bitly.ws/34mZY
You can find the paper here: bitly.ws/34mZY
Henry A. Kissinger died last week.
Few people know that as an academic he used a soft power campaign to get foreign politicians, intellectuals, and cultural figures enthusiastic about the United States.
Who did Kissinger target with his soft power campaign?
polisky
Few people know that as an academic he used a soft power campaign to get foreign politicians, intellectuals, and cultural figures enthusiastic about the United States.
Who did Kissinger target with his soft power campaign?
polisky
December 4, 2023 at 8:52 AM
Henry A. Kissinger died last week.
Few people know that as an academic he used a soft power campaign to get foreign politicians, intellectuals, and cultural figures enthusiastic about the United States.
Who did Kissinger target with his soft power campaign?
polisky
Few people know that as an academic he used a soft power campaign to get foreign politicians, intellectuals, and cultural figures enthusiastic about the United States.
Who did Kissinger target with his soft power campaign?
polisky
In a new paper, I analyze attendances at Kissinger's International Seminar at Harvard - one of the most prestigious exchange programs during the Cold War.
You can find the paper here: bitly.ws/34mZY
You can find the paper here: bitly.ws/34mZY
December 4, 2023 at 8:49 AM
In a new paper, I analyze attendances at Kissinger's International Seminar at Harvard - one of the most prestigious exchange programs during the Cold War.
You can find the paper here: bitly.ws/34mZY
You can find the paper here: bitly.ws/34mZY