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Pacem in Terris: Are Papal Visits Good News for Human Rights?

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  • Marek Endrich
  • Jerg Gutmann

Abstract

We analyze the effect of state visits by the Catholic pope on human rights in the host country to understand how a small theocracy like the Vatican can exert disproportionate political influence in international politics. Our theoretical model of the strategic interaction between the Catholic Church and host governments shows how the pope’s use of conditional approval and criticism incentivizes governments to refrain from human rights violations. Drawing on a new dataset of papal state visits outside Italy and a novel identification strategy, we test for the first time whether governments react by improving human rights protection in anticipation of a papal visit. Our empirical analysis offers robust evidence in support of this causal effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Marek Endrich & Jerg Gutmann, 2022. "Pacem in Terris: Are Papal Visits Good News for Human Rights?," CESifo Working Paper Series 9598, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_9598
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    1. Påvebesök förbättrar de mänskliga rättigheterna
      by Niclas Berggren in Nonicoclolasos on 2020-08-10 05:22:00

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Catholic Church; human rights; international political economy; pope; repression; rewards; sanctions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • D78 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation
    • F50 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - General
    • K38 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Human Rights Law; Gender Law; Animal Rights Law
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State
    • P26 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Property Rights
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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