GVPT Associate Professor Calvert W. Jones Publishes Study on Authoritarian Reforms and Global Legitimacy
Calvert W. Jones, associate professor in the Department of Government & Politics, has published a new article, “Authoritarian Reforms and External Legitimacy,” in International Organization.
The study examines whether reforms, such as expanding women’s rights, improving education, or addressing climate change, can improve how authoritarian regimes are perceived internationally. Jones’ study draws on three large-scale survey experiments examining how U.S. respondents evaluate hypothetical authoritarian regimes in the Middle East under varying reform conditions. The findings provide one of the most comprehensive empirical tests to date of how reform shapes international legitimacy.
Key findings include:
- Reforms generate both positive benefits (e.g., support for trade and cooperation) and shielding benefits (reduced support for sanctions or boycotts).
- Domestic reforms tend to produce stronger legitimacy gains than outward-facing efforts.
- Reforms advancing women’s rights have particularly strong effects on international perceptions.
The findings highlight how authoritarian governments can use reform to shape global opinion and gain legitimacy in an international system largely shaped by democratic norms.
Published on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 11:20