Why Did the West Extend the Franchise? Democracy, Inequality, and Growth in Historical Perspective

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ID: 291050
2000
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Abstract
During the nineteenth century most Western societies extended voting rights, a decision that led to unprecedented redistributive programs. We argue that these political reforms can be viewed as strategic decisions by the political elite to prevent widespread social unrest and revolution. Political transition, rather than redistribution under existing political institutions, occurs because current transfers do not ensure future transfers, while the extension of the franchise changes future political equilibria and acts as a commitment to redistribution. Our theory also offers a novel explanation for the Kuznets curve in many Western economies during this period, with the fall in inequality following redistribution due to democratization.
Reference Key
openalex_W2150717541 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Daron Acemoğlu, James A. Robinson
Journal the quarterly journal of economics
Year 2000
DOI
10.1162/003355300555042
URL
https://doi.org/10.1162/003355300555042
Keywords Keywords not found

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