| ID | 108350 |
| Title Proper | State institutions and the survival of dictatorships |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Ezrow, Natasha M ; Frantz, Erica |
| Publication | 2011. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Nominally democratic institutions such as political parties and legislatures are common in dictatorships, which rely on them to maintain control of the state. Parties and legislatures provide a means through which dictatorships co-opt potential opponents, distribute rents to supporters and mitigate elite conflicts. Indeed, regimes with these institutions have longer tenures than those without them. Using evidence from postwar dictatorships, this study demonstrates that parties and legislatures also enhance the ability of authoritarian regimes to withstand leadership transitions. Transfers of power are inherently destabilizing. Yet we find that dictatorships with parties and legislatures are far less likely to be associated with instability because these institutions insulate regimes from the disruptive effects of unconstitutional leadership transfers. |
| `In' analytical Note | Journal of International Affairs Vol. 65, No. 1; Fal-Win 2011: p1-13 |
| Journal Source | Journal of International Affairs Vol. 65, No. 1; Fal-Win 2011: p1-13 |
| Key Words | Global Commons ; Political Party ; Dictatorships ; Survival |