Democracy is not an absorbing state; transitions to autocratic rule have been frequent throughout history and often followed periods of instability under democratic rule. In this paper, we ask whether autocrats can win support among voters by showcasing their ability to restore order and to "get...

Social capital is often associated with desirable political and economic outcomes. This paper contributes to the literature exploring the "dark side" of social capital, examining the downfall of democracy in interwar Germany. We collect new data on the density of associations in 229 German towns...

The author reviews retrospectively his developing ideas on theory and policy since he first encountered Keynes's writings in 1950. Topics covered include: Keynes now, specifically the coming back into favour of his most fundamental ideas; intellectual biographies and shorter tributes to...