Dynastic rule in Syria and North Korea: Nepotism, succession, and sibling rivalry
| Published date | 01 June 2022 |
| Date | 01 June 2022 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0192512120978562 |
| Author | Douglas A Yates |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
https://doi.org/10.1177/0192512120978562
International Political Science Review
2022, Vol. 43(3) 450 –463
© The Author(s) 2020
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DOI: 10.1177/0192512120978562
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Dynastic rule in Syria and North
Korea: Nepotism, succession,
and sibling rivalry
Douglas A Yates
American Graduate School in Paris, France
Abstract
Dynastic rule in republics is a global trend. Using a qualitative life-story-and-family-history method to
compare two republican dynasties – the Assads of Syria and Kims of North Korea – this article examines how
ruthless kin groups establish themselves in power, practice nepotism and corrupt republican institutions of
government with dynastic succession. Focusing on sibling rivalry, a potentially destructive threat to dynasties,
it contributes to an emerging political science literature on republican political families by exploring five
factors that shape sibling conflict and cooperation.
Keywords
Dynasty, nepotism, succession, sibling rivalry
Dynastic succession in republics
Until modern times authoritarian regimes were a norm. Most were hereditary monarchies follow-
ing a traditional form of inherited personal rule restrained by traditional customs and institutions.
But the idea that personal rule over a state and its people could be inherited like private property,
like a family estate, lost its nimbus once republican systems had taken hold. After democratic
regimes had become a norm, in both monarchies and republics, the category of authoritarian regime
turned into something of a residual one that threw all non-democratic systems in together (Brooker,
2014: 97). Apart from the fact that they are not democracies, these regimes appear to have little in
common: theocracies; warlords; absolute monarchies; military regimes; single-party regimes; pop-
ulist presidential monarchies; and the subject of this essay ‘dynastic republics’ – authoritarian
republics (non-monarchies) where government is controlled by a ruling family.
Throughout the world ruthless families have captured power in authoritarian republics.
The trademark style of dynastic rule is how it turns family matters into public affairs, and public
matters into family affairs. In these nepotistic offshoots of authoritarianism, the ruling dynasty
ostentatiously disguises succession of its heir, be it a son, daughter, brother, sister, cousin, husband,
Corresponding author:
Douglas A Yates, American Graduate School in Paris, 101, Boulevard Raspail, Alliance Française Building – 6th Floor,
Paris, 75006, France.
Email: douglas.yates@ags.edu
978562IPS0010.1177/0192512120978562International Political Science ReviewYates
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