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 … relationship between inequality and redistribution is nonmonotonic; societies with intermediate levels of inequality consolidate …

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 … such activities, thus exacerbating inequality among a large part of the population. We then survey the existing empirical …