Sofie Bedford

My project problematizes the concept of ‘opposition’ in electoral authoritarian regimes. It does so through an in-depth comparative study of Belarus and Azerbaijan, where the ‘opposition’ is often described as ‘failed’ and as such rarely attracts scholarly attention. Focusing on the dynamics of resistance, my project theoretically elaborates on how to build a ‘sustainable’ opposition in this political context. I also contribute to a project striving to better understand the security situation in the South Caucasus by investigating the mindsets of key actors in these societies. I focus on Azerbaijan, particularly on the securitization of religion and elite perceptions of neighboring states.