Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/278511 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2023
Series/Report no.: 
ECONtribute Discussion Paper No. 236
Publisher: 
University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Reinhard Selten Institute (RSI), Bonn and Cologne
Abstract: 
Autocratic regimes can use carrots and/or sticks to prevent being overthrown by protests. Carrots, i.e. resource allocation, reduce the probability of protests, but cannot help to end them. Sticks, i.e. repression, reduce the probability that protests overthrow the regime, but also decrease its popularity. Using a difference-in-differences approach, I show that residential construction and military presence increase in protest municipalities after an uprising in 1953 in former East Germany. This cannot be explained by preexisting differences, demand for housing, or external warfare considerations. Carrots were furthermore used to counteract sticks' negative effect on popularity. More construction is associated with more regime support.
Subjects: 
Political Economy
autocracy
Protests
JEL: 
D72
D74
N44
P26
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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