In this paper we revisit the relationship between democracy, redistribution, and inequality. We first explain the … theoretical reasons why democracy is expected to increase redistribution and reduce inequality, and why this expectation may fail …: democracy does not lead to a uniform decline in post-tax inequality, but can result in changes in fiscal redistribution and …

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 …

We examine preferences for redistribution inherent in Swedish tax policy 1971-2012 using the inverse optimal tax …