curve in many Western economies during this period, with the fall in inequality following redistribution due to … widespread social unrest and revolution. Political transition, rather than redistribution under existing political institutions … political equilibria and acts as a commitment to redistribution. Our theory also offers a novel explanation for the Kuznets …

relationship between inequality and redistribution is nonmonotonic; societies with intermediate levels of inequality consolidate …We develop a theory of political transitions inspired in part by the experiences of Western Europe and Latin America … redistributive than a nondemocratic regime, and this gives the elite an incentive to mount a coup. Because inequality makes democracy …

, however, which can explain why this redistribution often takes an inefficient form. In this paper we develop a theory of why … redistribution is made inefficiently. Inefficient redistribution makes staying in or entering a group relatively more attractive than … efficient methods of redistribution. The form of redistribution is therefore a tool to sustain political power in situations …

regime changes are often followed by redistribution to the poor at the expense of the former elite. We argue that the reason …

Because of their more limited inequality and more comprehensive social welfare systems, many perceive average welfare … entrepreneurs (thus greater inequality) increases entrepreneurial e¤ort and hence a country’s contribution to the world technology … “cutthroat”capitalism that generates greater inequality and more innovation and will become the technology leaders, while others …

This Paper documents that the rise of (Western) Europe between 1500 and 1850 is largely accounted for by the growth of …. Atlantic trade and colonialism affected Europe both directly and indirectly by inducing institutional changes. In particular …, thus enabling new merchants in these countries to benefit from Atlantic trade. Therefore, the Rise of Europe was largely …

the 1790s and later under Napoleon invaded and controlled large parts of Europe. Together with invasion came various …

despite adverse initial conditions, including minimal investment during the colonial period and high inequality. Botswana …