Stefanie Gäbler prepared this study while she was working at the ifo Center for Public Finance and Political Economy. The study was completed in March 2020 and accepted as doctoral thesis by the Department of Economics at the University of Munich. It consists of six distinct empirical essays...

Luisa Dörr prepared this study while she was working at the ifo Center for Public Finance and Political Economy. The study was completed in February 2022 and accepted as doctoral thesis by the Department of Economics at the University of Munich. It consists of three distinct empirical essays...

This dissertation studies what prevents (or fosters) would-be contemporary nation-builders from building the nation and solidifying the state when challenged by criminal wars. Focusing on Mexico and Colombia -two states rampaged by ongoing criminal wars-, I study the incentives of local...