Lobbying Autocrats: Policy Advocacy in Nondemocracies

Although autocracies often repress independent citizen activity, lobbying by civil society organizations is widespread. Using case studies in China, Russia, and Malaysia, Jessica Teet’s edited volume “Lobbying the Autocrat” shows how citizen advocacy organizations mitigate changing levels of political repression and build resilience through “tactful contention” strategies. Thus, within the bounds set by authoritarian regimes, adaptive lobbying may still bring about localized responsiveness and representation.