When State Building Backfires: Elite Divisions and Collective Action in Rebellion

• In Event: The Political Economy of State Formation

Brief Overview

We develop a theory to illustrate that state-building efforts may increase division among elites, reducing local repression and allowing uprisings to occur. We support our argument using data on rebellion, tax reform, and drought in colonial Mexico.

Authors

• Francisco Garfias, Stanford University

• Emily A. Sellars, Yale University