Collective abdication refers to the phenomenon where authority is relinquished to a leader who poses a threat to democratic norms. This often arises from a false belief that such an authoritarian leader can be managed or restrained. Individuals and groups might think they can keep this leader in check while still benefiting from their rule.

Another contributing factor is "ideological collusion," a term coined by sociologist Ivan Ermakoff. This occurs when the goals of an authoritarian leader align closely with those of mainstream political figures, leading to a scenario where conceding power to the authoritarian is seen as a more favorable option compared to other political alternatives.