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

Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson

No 1797, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

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 political elites 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.

Keywords: Democracy; enfranchisement; Growth; Inequality; political commitment; Redistribution; Revolution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D72 O15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1998-03
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (81)

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Journal Article: Why Did the West Extend the Franchise? Democracy, Inequality, and Growth in Historical Perspective (2000)
Working Paper: Why Did West Extend the Franchise? Democracy, Ineqiality and Growth in Historical Perspective (1997)
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