The Encyclopedia Tyrannica (EncTyr) is a comprehensive research guide dedicated to the study of authoritarianism, dictatorship, and related political regimes. Designed to serve as much more than a standard encyclopedia, it offers an exhaustive literature review, places key concepts in their historical, theoretical, and methodological contexts, and explores how these ideas vary across world regions and impact policy-making.
The encyclopedia is structured into thematic sections rather than a simple alphabetical list, making it easier for readers to compare related ideas and understand how various research traditions have evolved and diverged.
The Encyclopedia Tyrannica is intended for a broad audience: students and educators in comparative politics, area studies, and democracy studies; established scholars seeking to fill gaps in their knowledge; policy-makers and experts looking for a structured overview of the field; and area study specialists interested in alternative theoretical frameworks. It is also a valuable resource for anyone interested in the complex dynamics of authoritarian rule and its global manifestations.
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań played a central role in the development of this encyclopedia as the coordinating institution of the M.O.R.D.O.R. (Mapping & Organizing Research on Dictatorships – Open Access Repository) project, an international consortium funded by the EU Erasmus+ program. AMU not only led the consortium but also contributed significantly to the conceptualization, editorial process, and integration of interdisciplinary insights, ensuring the project’s academic rigor and global relevance. The encyclopedia is a flagship output of this collaboration, reflecting AMU’s commitment to advancing research and education in the field of comparative authoritarianism. The publisher is ibidem Verlag.
The editors, Jeroen J.J. Van den Bosch (AMU) and Natasha M. Lindstaedt (University of Essex), are both established scholars with extensive expertise in comparative authoritarianism and international politics. Van den Bosch specializes in theories of dictatorships and autocratic cooperation, with a strong regional focus on Sub Saharan Africa, Eurasia, and the Indo-Pacific, while Lindstaedt is recognized for her work on authoritarian regimes, international development, and area studies, particularly in the Middle East and Latin America. Their combined editorial leadership ensures the encyclopedia’s academic rigor and interdisciplinary reach.
How to Get Your Copy?
Encyclopedia Tyrannica is now available as a free interactive PDF eBook from ibidem Verlag:
https://www.ibidem.eu/en/Topics/Social-Sciences/Political-Science/Encyclopedia-Tyrannica-978-3-8382-7882-7.html
