Juan Linz

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Juan José Linz is the Sterling Professor of Political Science at Yale University, best known for his theories on totalitarian and authoritarian systems of government. Linz has also done extensive research on the breakdowns of democracy and the transition back to a democratic regime. He is the author of many works on the subject, including his seminal work Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes (Rienner, 2000), and his influential essay, "The Perils of Presidentialism".

From a description of Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes:

"In this classic work, noted political scientist Juan Linz provides an unparalleled study of the nature of nondemocratic regimes. Linz's seminal analysis develops the fundamental distinction between totalitarian and authoritarian systems. It also presents a path-breaking discussion on the personalistic, lawless, nonideological type of authoritarian rule that he calls (following Max Weber) the 'sultanistic regime'."

Linz has received the Prince of Asturias Award of Social Sciences (1987) and the Johan Skytte Prize in Political Science (1996).