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Expropriation and human rights: does the seizure of FDI signal wider repression?

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  • Nicole Janz

    (University of Nottingham)

  • Noel Johnston

    (University of California, Riverside)

  • Paasha Mahdavi

    (University of California, Santa Barbara)

Abstract

Is expropriation - the seizure of assets from foreign investors - a sign of wider repression in host countries? If so, under which circumstances? The relationship between expropriation and human rights has been under-explored in the international relations and international political economy literatures. We argue that domestic repression and expropriation are interrelated: both can be part of a state’s repertoire of coercive activities, the use of these tools reflecting a leader’s insecurity about their power position. Expropriation, however, often attracts widespread media attention, and thus may signal wider repressive acts against citizens, which are typically harder to detect. We present an exploratory analysis using a cross-country sample of seventy-eight non-OECD countries (1960-2006). Results show that expropriation is connected to higher repression, and that the effect is stronger in countries with higher historical human rights protection, which are in the middle of the democracy-autocracy spectrum. Our theoretical and empirical contributions illuminate a relationship between property rights and human rights, and give important insights to understanding state incentives to repress.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicole Janz & Noel Johnston & Paasha Mahdavi, 2022. "Expropriation and human rights: does the seizure of FDI signal wider repression?," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 847-875, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:revint:v:17:y:2022:i:4:d:10.1007_s11558-021-09447-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11558-021-09447-9
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