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Rents from power for a dissident elite and mass mobilization

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  • Kemal Kivanç Aköz
  • Pablo Hernández‐Lagos

Abstract

Popular uprisings in autocracies seldom lead to democratic regimes. We propose a model that helps explain how rents from power encourage popular revolts. We study why citizens would follow a dissident group seeking regime change, if rents from change accrue only to the group. Our model predicts that higher rents may increase the incidence of public mobilization because rents facilitate coordination. The results suggest that cohesive dissident groups may spur seemingly spontaneous mass mobilizations, even when the mass public know that the dissident group is driven by greed rather than a genuine desire to halt incumbent’s rent‐seeking activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Kemal Kivanç Aköz & Pablo Hernández‐Lagos, 2019. "Rents from power for a dissident elite and mass mobilization," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 66(4), pages 584-604, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:scotjp:v:66:y:2019:i:4:p:584-604
    DOI: 10.1111/sjpe.12205
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    References listed on IDEAS

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