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Post-WWI Military Disarmament and Interwar Fascism: Evidence from Sweden

Author

Listed:
  • Berg, Heléne

    (Department of Economics, Stockholm University)

  • Dahlberg, Matz

    (IBF and Department of Economics, Uppsala University)

  • Vernby, Kåre

    (Department of Political Science, Stockholm University; Department of Government, Uppsala University)

Abstract

The emergence of anti-democratic movements is a central puzzle to social science. We study a novel and rich dataset covering Swedish municipalities during the interwar years and nd a strong link between the presence of a military garrison and the emergence of fascist parties. We interpret these results as suggesting that fascist mobilization in Sweden was driven by discontent with the process of disarmament brought about by democratization. By contrast, economic hard times, as captured by local poverty and the size of the tax base, seem to have little connection with such parties. We relate these results to in influential theories of democratization.

Suggested Citation

  • Berg, Heléne & Dahlberg, Matz & Vernby, Kåre, 2016. "Post-WWI Military Disarmament and Interwar Fascism: Evidence from Sweden," Working Paper Series 2016:16, Uppsala University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:uunewp:2016_016
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gianluca Russo, 2018. "World War I and the Rise of Fascism in Italy," Boston University - Department of Economics - The Institute for Economic Development Working Papers Series dp-341, Boston University - Department of Economics, revised May 2020.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Democracy; Interwar fascism; Disarmament;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N44 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Europe: 1913-

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