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Democratization as a cost-saving device

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  • Angeles, Luis

Abstract

We propose a theoretical analysis of democratization processes in which an elite extends the franchise to the poor when threatened with a revolution. The poor could govern without changing the political system by maintaining a continuous revolutionary threat on the elite. Revolutionary threats, however, are costly to the poor and democracy is a superior sys- tem in which political agreement is reached through costless voting. This provides a rationale for democratic transitions that has not been discussed in the literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Angeles, Luis, 2008. "Democratization as a cost-saving device," SIRE Discussion Papers 2008-54, Scottish Institute for Research in Economics (SIRE).
    • Handle: RePEc:edn:sirdps:67
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