The very idea that authoritarian regimes (“autocracies”) may enjoy popular support is hard to fathom for democrats. Models of often entail tacit ideological assumptions, and many are driven by methodological fashions. They ignore the efforts rulers provide what people value. psychology they assume inadequate predict actions. too abstract generate testable predictions. “Support” any regime diffi...

Mexico’s 2021 midterm elections occurred amid concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions. Supporters President Lopez Obrador (AMLO) view his centralization power in executive as necessary to make government work for a marginalized majority. But same state weaknesses that helped propel AMLO constrain responses complex governance problems, including poverty and violent crime. This limi...