Autocratisation, electoral politics and the limits of incumbency in African democracies

The world is experiencing a new wave of autocratisation, characterised by global democratic reversal. From 2010 to 2020, the share population living in autocracies increased from 48 68%. Electoral are now world's most common regime type, and along with closed they number 87 195 states. Even during height third democratisation, elections Africa rarely led an alternation power. Thirty years after wave, this special issue introduction takes stock how many transfers power occurred three crucial decades between 1991 2021. In issue, we focus on Zambia understand some factors that contributed electoral turnover, notwithstanding benefits incumbency were enjoyed ruling Patriotic Front (PF) President Edgar Lungu. We show outcome Zambia's August 2021 election demonstrates limits incumbency. suggest voters opposition parties countries previous experiences peaceful might rely ‘democratic muscle-memory’, dislodge autocrats call for more research when why incumbents lose.