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Feudalism, Collaboration and Path Dependence in England’s Political Development

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  • Leon, Gabriel

Abstract

This article presents a formal model of path dependence inspired by England’s history. The introduction of feudalism after the Norman Conquest – the critical juncture – created a large elite that rebelled frequently. The king fought these revolts with the help of collaborators he recruited from the masses. In compensation, he made these collaborators members of the elite. This was a cost-effective form of compensation: rents were only partly rival, and so new elite members only partially diluted the rents received by the king. The dilution from adding new members decreased as the elite grew in size, generating positive feedback and path dependence. This mechanism can account for the extension of rights in England in the early stages of its journey towards democracy.

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  • Leon, Gabriel, 2020. "Feudalism, Collaboration and Path Dependence in England’s Political Development," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 50(2), pages 511-533, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:bjposi:v:50:y:2020:i:2:p:511-533_6
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    Cited by:

    1. De Magalhaes, Leandro & Giovannoni, Francesco, 2022. "War and the rise of parliaments," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    2. Elisa Borghi & Donato Masciandaro, 2023. "Political Elites, Urban Institutions And Long-Run Persistence : The King Owned Towns," BAFFI CAREFIN Working Papers 23193, BAFFI CAREFIN, Centre for Applied Research on International Markets Banking Finance and Regulation, Universita' Bocconi, Milano, Italy.

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