Authoritarian norm entrepreneurs: how autocratic states reshape global norms

Abstract Authoritarian states are increasingly shaping global normative orders by promoting state-centric and communitarian alternatives to liberal norms in global governance institutions. This article studies the interplay between normative and material strategies autocracies use to reshape global norms. While existing research on norm entrepreneurship focuses on liberal actors, non-state advocacy networks, and right-wing norm spoilers, this paper broadens the concept of norm entrepreneurship to include authoritarian-led norm promotion. It argues that like-minded coalitions of authoritarian regimes strategically cooperate to integrate normative and material power to reshape international norms in favor of state control and societal development. Through case studies of China’s “win-win” development agenda in the UN Human Rights Council and Russia’s digital sovereignty push in global internet governance, the paper demonstrates how authoritarian coalitions amplify their influence through persuasion and incentivation. These findings have important implications for the future of multilateralism and the liberal international order.