New research article: Attack on Climate: The Persistent Effects of Authoritarianism on Climate Policy Equilibria by Vlad Surdea-Hernea

A new study by our consortium partner Vlad Surdea-Hernea, ''Attack on Climate: The Persistent Effects of Authoritarianism on Climate Policy Equilibria" explores how historical authoritarianism continues to influence climate policy and public attitudes—even after democratization. 

Key Findings:

- Former East German districts, once under Soviet-style authoritarian rule, show lower climate policy ambition compared to their Western counterparts, even decades after reunification. 

- Authoritarian regimes suppressed pro-environmental groups, destroying the infrastructure needed to turn environmental concerns into political action. 

- This legacy isn’t just about policy, it’s also about polarization. Former East Germany has become a breeding ground for climate-skeptical political parties, like the AfD. 

- Democratization alone isn’t enough to reverse these effects. Building pro-environmental attitudes requires generational socialisation into principles of political inclusiveness and deliberation. 

Why it matters:

The fight against climate change isn’t just about science, it’s also about overcoming the long shadow of authoritarianism. This research highlights how historical repression of environmental activism can persist for decades, shaping political landscapes and slowing climate action.

Read the article here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ecot.12446 
 

Image by Dominic Wunderlich from Pixabay