Socio-political conflict, social distance, and rent extraction in historical perspective

M.-Christine Thaize Challier

European Journal of Political Economy, 2010, vol. 26, issue 1, 51-67

Abstract: This paper uses French historical data covering four centuries to investigate how social distance, rent extraction, and pressure for reforms affect socio-political conflict. Social distance in itself does not systematically lead to socio-political conflict. Robust evidence is presented indicating that discretionary taxation spurs political violence more so than discretionary public spending. A peaceful rather than confrontational period is conducive for implementing reforms to enhance local democracy and reduce social inequality sought by ordinary inhabitants.

Keywords: Socio-political; conflict; Social; distance; Rent; extraction; Reform; Medieval; local; government (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:poleco:v:26:y:2010:i:1:p:51-67

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