The Democratic Void: Authoritarian Information Architecture as Institutional Pe Cascade

Applies the void framework to democratic backsliding as a Pe cascade phenomenon. Authoritarian information systems score O=3, R=1–2, α=3 structurally; the framework predicts rising Pe as institutional constraint weakens, driving D1→D2→D3 cascade and eventual capture. Natural experiments in Hungary (2010–present) and Turkey (2016–present) against press freedom indices provide empirical grounding. The Congregation Effect Pe spectrum extends from individual platforms to state-scale information architecture.