The SCRIPTS Working Paper No. 65, titled "Be the Dictator’s Guest: Nation Branding in Authoritarian States", examines how authoritarian regimes such as China, Russia, North Korea, and several Gulf states shape their international image to attract tourists, investors, and global recognition. It argues that the most effective nation-branding strategies rely less on overt political messaging and instead emphasize culture, tourism, heritage, and lifestyle.

By exploring the relationship between image management, soft power, and authoritarian rule, the paper offers new insights into how illiberal regimes compete for international legitimacy.