First survive, then thrive: major urban centres and resistance against autocratisation

This article highlights the critical yet overlooked role of subnational entities, particularly cities, in autocratisation processes. While research often emphasizes national factors, cities can act as democratic enclaves resisting autocratisation or, alternatively, facilitate authoritarian trends. The article addresses three key questions: (1) What explains democratic enclaves in cities during autocratisation? (2) How do these enclaves resist national autocratisation? (3) What is their democratic potential? Using case studies from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, the contributions explore how cities serve as arenas of resistance or tools for autocratisation, shaped by local actors and institutions. This special issue advances understanding of multi-level governance and democratic enclaves, offering practical insights for countering autocratisation. It argues that supporting local democratic actors, fostering alliances, and limiting central government interference are essential strategies to strengthen cities' roles in resisting autocratisation.