Authors

Discussion

Within the wider authoritarianism literature there is a field analysing the idea of authoritarian gravity centres. This notion contends that some autocracies act as models for other authoritarian regimes and leaders in weak democracies to copy, thereby consolidating their power. It was argued that authoritarian gravity centres would challenge existing international values. Therefore, not only would they act as alternative models to democracy, thus strengthening the growth of autocracies globally, but they would also counter international norms which would improve the survival chances of autocracies and weaken democracies.

Russia was widely considered in the literature to be a key centre of gravity for other autocracies and weak democracies to copy and from. However, Russia’s in war in Ukraine since February 2022 has likely tarnished – at the least – Moscow as a model for other autocracies and has even resulted in calls for United Nations reform with Russia either removed as a permanent Security Council member or the council expanded. Analysing whether Russia was an authoritarian gravity centre and remains so is challenging, but this paper uses Central Asia as a case study to test whether Russia’s role as an authoritarian gravity centre is failing. To do this I draw on interviews with researchers and speeches made by Central Asian leaders during meetings with Russia officials, either through a one-on-one meeting or at regional organisations. The paper finds that Russia’s image has suffered, but that it remains a model, although one that is tarnished.