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Fear and Dreams: Understanding the Non-Institutional Sources of Leader Strategy

Author

Listed:
  • Bautista, Maria Angélica

    (University of Chicago)

  • Galán, Juan Sebastián

    (Universidad de los Andes)

  • Robinson, James A.

    (University of Chicago)

  • Torres, Rafael

    (University of Chicago)

  • Torvik, Ragnar

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

Political leaders make policy choices which are often hard to explain via institutions. We use the behavior of Colombian paramilitary groups as an environment to study non-institutional sources of variation in how public good provision and violence are combined to control populations. We hypothesize that a significant source of variation stems from the social preferences of the paramilitary commanders. Reciprocators adopt a strategy of offering public goods in exchange for support, but also use violence to punish those who do not reciprocate back. Reciprocity, developed via childhood socialization, is a characteristic of rural “peasants”. We develop a model which generates these hypotheses and test them using a unique dataset compiled from transitional justice documents.

Suggested Citation

  • Bautista, Maria Angélica & Galán, Juan Sebastián & Robinson, James A. & Torres, Rafael & Torvik, Ragnar, 2024. "Fear and Dreams: Understanding the Non-Institutional Sources of Leader Strategy," Documentos CEDE 21198, Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE.
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000089:021198
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    Keywords

    Leader Behavior; Public Goods; Violence; Socialization.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D70 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - General
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General
    • H42 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Publicly Provided Private Goods
    • P00 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - General - - - General

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