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What Motivates Leaders to Invest in Nation-Building?

Author

Listed:
  • Paola Giuliano
  • Bryony Reich
  • Alessandro Riboni

Abstract

Why do some leaders invest in significant nation-building policies and others do not? Why does nation-building occur at certain junctures in time and not others? In our research, we investigate what motivates leaders to nation build. We argue that threats to their regime motivate rulers to invest in significant nation-building and that the type of threats that provoke nation-building have largely materialized since the 19th century.

Suggested Citation

  • Paola Giuliano & Bryony Reich & Alessandro Riboni, 2022. "What Motivates Leaders to Invest in Nation-Building?," NBER Working Papers 30268, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30268
    Note: POL
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alberto Alesina & Bryony Reich & Alessandro Riboni, 2017. "Nation-Building, Nationalism, and Wars," Working Papers 2017-80, Center for Research in Economics and Statistics.
    2. Philippe Aghion & Xavier Jaravel & Torsten Persson & Dorothée Rouzet, 2019. "Education and Military Rivalry," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 17(2), pages 376-412.
    3. Davide Cantoni & Yuyu Chen & David Y. Yang & Noam Yuchtman & Y. Jane Zhang, 2017. "Curriculum and Ideology," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 125(2), pages 338-392.
    4. Paglayan, Agustina S., 2021. "The Non-Democratic Roots of Mass Education: Evidence from 200 Years," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 115(1), pages 179-198, February.
    5. Alberto Alesina & Bryony Reich & Alessandro Riboni, 2020. "Nation-building, nationalism, and $$\hbox {wars}^*$$ wars ∗," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 25(4), pages 381-430, December.
    6. Philippe Aghion & Xavier Jaravel & Torsten Persson & Dorothée Rouzet, 2019. "Education and Military Rivalry," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 17(2), pages 376-412.
    7. Davide Cantoni & Yuyu Chen & David Y. Yang & Noam Yuchtman & Y. Jane Zhang, 2017. "Curriculum and Ideology," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 125(2), pages 338-392.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N0 - Economic History - - General
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State

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