The Rise of Authoritarianism: Lessons from South Korea and Syria

In recent years, we've seen a worrying trend: the rise of authoritarianism across the globe. While it’s happening in many countries, it's especially alarming when we see this shift in places that were once considered strongholds of democracy. South Korea and Syria are two prime examples of this, where leadership has become more centralized, opposition has been silenced, and individual freedoms are at risk.

South Korea: A Slow Drift Towards Authoritarianism

South Korea has long been a beacon of democracy in Asia, but lately, there have been signs that the country is slipping into more authoritarian practices. Under President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office in 2022, many critics have noticed a shift toward greater control over the media, the opposition, and civil liberties. While Yoon's government claims it's working to strengthen the country’s national security, the growing trend of centralizing power in the executive branch is raising red flags.

For one, the press—once one of South Korea’s proudest democratic pillars—is increasingly coming under pressure. Journalists who criticize the government have faced defamation lawsuits, and media outlets have been accused of bowing to government influence. This isn’t a good sign for a country that has long prided itself on having a free press that holds politicians accountable.

Opposition leaders are also feeling the heat. Political parties that oppose the president's policies are increasingly marginalized, with legal tools being used to silence critics. Protests, a fundamental part of South Korea’s democratic tradition, are met with a heavier hand, and dissenting voices are quickly shut down. It’s a worrying trend for a country that was once a model of democratic resilience in East Asia.

Perhaps most concerning is the way the government is using national security as an excuse to monitor its citizens. Surveillance has ramped up, and activists and ordinary citizens alike who speak out against the government are facing more scrutiny. This echoes tactics used by more authoritarian regimes where the justification for control is framed as a need to protect the nation from internal threats.

Syria: A Regime That Won’t Let Go

Syria’s story, on the other hand, is far darker and more brutal. Bashar al-Assad has held onto power for over two decades, even as the country has been torn apart by civil war. Despite widespread human rights abuses, international sanctions, and military interventions, Assad has managed to keep his regime intact, largely through brutal repression and strategic alliances.

From the start of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, Assad has used violence to stay in control. His government has employed horrific tactics, including chemical weapons attacks on civilians, airstrikes on rebel areas, and the destruction of entire cities. Over 500,000 Syrians have lost their lives, and millions more have been displaced. Yet, Assad’s grip on power remains strong, with the help of his loyal military forces and security apparatus that crush any form of resistance.

Assad’s approach to “democracy” is nothing short of a sham. The elections in Syria, including the most recent one in 2021, are widely seen as nothing more than a charade to maintain the illusion of legitimacy. Opposition leaders are either jailed or killed, and the vote is carefully rigged to ensure that Assad remains in power. This kind of manipulation of the electoral process is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes, where elections serve not as a measure of public will but as a tool to legitimize a leader’s unchecked power.

What’s perhaps most striking about Assad’s rule is the cult of personality that surrounds him and his family. The regime has turned loyalty to Assad into a requirement for survival, and the state has become an extension of his family’s interests. This network of patronage, corruption, and repression has allowed Assad to survive despite international condemnation, and it’s this same system that keeps his rule intact.

Assad’s ability to stay in power also hinges on the support he receives from external allies like Russia and Iran. While much of the world has isolated Syria through sanctions, Russia and Iran have provided crucial military and financial backing. This support has allowed Assad to keep fighting the rebels and retain control over large parts of the country. It’s a reminder that authoritarian regimes can persist when they secure powerful external partners.

What These Cases Tell Us About Authoritarianism Today

The cases of South Korea and Syria illustrate two very different forms of rising authoritarianism. In South Korea, the trend is more subtle but still concerning. It’s a country that has long been seen as a model for democracy in Asia, but the recent government’s actions suggest that even established democracies aren’t immune to sliding into authoritarian practices. On the other hand, Syria’s case is a stark reminder of how extreme and violent authoritarianism can be, with a regime that is willing to do anything to maintain power, regardless of the cost of human lives.

What both examples highlight is the way authoritarianism is rising in different parts of the world today. Whether it’s through the erosion of press freedom, the silencing of opposition, or the justification of repression in the name of national security, the tactics used by authoritarian regimes seem to be taking root in more countries than ever before. The global rise of authoritarianism shows that no democracy is guaranteed to survive without vigilance.

The rise of authoritarianism in South Korea and Syria serves as a wake-up call for the world. It shows us that even countries with strong democratic traditions can fall victim to the allure of authoritarianism, while in places like Syria, authoritarian rule has taken hold through violence and manipulation. As the global political landscape shifts, we must remain vigilant, protect our democratic institutions, and ensure that power remains accountable to the people. The lessons from these countries are stark: authoritarianism, once it takes root, is not easily uprooted.