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American Economic Review: Vol. 91 No. 4 (September 2001)

AER Volume. 91, Issue 4 | Previous ArticleNext Article

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A Theory of Political Transitions

Article Citation

Acemoglu, Daron, and James A. Robinson. 2001. "A Theory of Political Transitions." American Economic Review, 91(4): 938-963.

DOI: 10.1257/aer.91.4.938

Abstract

We develop a theory of political transitions inspired by the experiences of Western Europe and Latin America. Nondemocratic societies are controlled by a rich elite. The initially disenfranchised poor can contest power by threatening revolution, especially when the opportunity cost is low, for example, during recessions. The threat of revolution may force the elite to democratize. Democracy may not consolidate because it is redistributive, and so gives the elite an incentive to mount a coup. Highly unequal societies are less likely to consolidate democracy, and may end up oscillating between regimes and suffer substantial fiscal volatility.

Article Full-Text Access

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Authors

Acemoglu, Daron (MIT)
Robinson, James A. (U CA, Berkeley)

JEL Classifications

D74: Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances
O17: Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
D31: Personal Income, Wealth, and Their Distributions
P16: Capitalist Systems: Political Economy