Resistance to socially desired reforms may arise from uncertainty about the consequences of reforms at the individual level (Fernandez and Rodrik, 1991). Without a binding commitment, a promise to compensate losers will not raise support for reforms due to a credibility problem. This paper shows...

Europa stolpert von Krise zu Krise. Die Finanz- und Schuldenkrise gefährdet die Europäische Währungsunion. Das Brexit-Votum zeigt, wie weit verbreitet die Europaskepsis ist. Die Wirtschaft kommt nicht in Schwung. Die Arbeitslosigkeit ist hoch. Und die Flüchtlingskrise hat die politischen...

Conventional wisdom holds that international trade agreements can be used as external pressures and credible commitments to overcome opposition and lock in domestic economic reforms. This belief, however, underestimates the ability of politicians to use international trade agreements to leverage...