"This book uses path breaking analysis of the entrails of the autocratic regime in Argentina to make bold new claims about how autocracy works, or collapses. An intellectual milestone." -- James A. Robinson, Professor of Political Science, University of Chicago; and 2024 Nobel Laureate in Economics"Gläβel and Scharpf''s book is an impressive study, systematically demonstrating Arendt''s key insights about the "banality of evil." What appears to be extraordinary behavior - violent coercive action - is often the result of mundane career motivations. A must read for anyone interested in understanding the security apparatus that undergirds authoritarianism." -- Jennifer Gandhi, Professor of Political Science and Global Affairs, Yale University; and author of Political Institutions under Dictatorship"Mundane individual concerns often drive large-scale, collective phenomena. Officers under intense career pressure can be incentivized to participate in large-scale repression and military coups, thus powering autocratic dynamics.

Scharpf and Gläßel provide a masterful demonstration of this important and relatively overlooked mechanism; in doing so, they help us better understand past patterns and future risks." -- Stathis N. Kalyvas, Gladstone Professor of Government, University of Oxford; and author of The Logic of Violence in Civil War"This groundbreaking book offers a compelling and original analysis of the ways in which career considerations explain the behaviors of one of the most consequential actors in authoritarian politics: the security apparatus. In it, Gläßel and Scharpf leverage incredibly rich data and case studies to shed light on the factors that shape whether officers will carry out the regime''s dirty work or turn against it to stage a coup. Clearly and elegantly written, Making a Career in Dictatorship is sure to fascinate and inform students and observers of authoritarian politics alike." -- Erica Frantz, Associate Professor, Michigan State University; and author of How Dictatorships Work and Authoritarianism: What Everyone Needs to Know"In the present era of democratic backsliding, it has become crucial to understand what motivates today''s aspiring strongmen. This timely monograph does precisely that and it does it masterfully! Based on unique historical data covering military officers in Argentina, the authors serve as our expert guides in the opaque and murderous world of military dictatorship. As the world turns more autocratic, their insights are acutely relevant well beyond the historical cases covered in the book.

" -- Lars-Erik Cederman, Professor of International Conflict Research, ETH Zürich; and author of Inequality, Grievances and Civil War and Sharing Power, Securing Peace? Ethnic Inclusion and Civil War"Violent organizations, from terrorist groups to totalitarian police forces, can be unnervingly mundane. This brilliant volume musters a rich tapestry of evidence to show that basic career concerns can drive officials to seek assignment in the most repressive corners of authoritarian security bureaucracies and to join coups. Compelling reading for anyone seeking to understand the banality of evil, or at least of evil organizations." -- Jacob N. Shapiro, Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Princeton University; and author of The Terrorist''s Dilemma and Small Wars, Big Data"This must-read and incredibly timely book explains how the handmaidens of authoritarianism and those risking their lives to stop it through coups are driven by the same misfortune: stalling careers in the security services. Gläßel and Scharpf draw on data from multiple countries and time periods to show that meritocratic systems don''t prevent state repression or coups, but that stalled careers can propel both the most heinous repressive acts and the seemingly bravest attempts to overthrow vicious regimes, as security service members adapt to advance their careers." -- Jennifer Earl, Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice, University of Delaware; and author of Digitally Enabled Social Change.