Liberty, Security, and Accountability: The Rise and Fall of Illiberal Democracies

• Published in: The Review of economic studies Vol. 91; no. 1; pp. 340 - 371
• Main Authors: Gratton, Gabriele, Lee, Barton E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 12.01.2024
• Subjects: Bayesian persuasion; Illiberal democracy; Electoral accountability; Dynamic delegation; Autocratization; Checks and balances; Executive constraints

Abstract We study a model of the rise and fall of illiberal democracies. Voters value both liberty and economic security. In times of crisis, voters may prefer to elect an illiberal government that, by violating constitutional constraints, offers greater economic security but less liberty. However,...