Objective To analyze the theoretical and political stakes involved in researching authoritarian regimes. Method A meta‐analysis of recent books and articles on authoritarianism, including the articles in this special volume. Results The prevailing research methods set unrealistic standards for analyses of authoritarianism, with serious consequences for theory building and American foreign policy. Conclusion The old rules of fieldwork still apply, and scholars are well advised to develop tactics and “work‐arounds” to meet the inherent challenge of discovering useful knowledge about authoritarian regimes. Historical cases of authoritarianism also provide an underused resource for theory development and testing.