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Simplified methods and efficiency: Stalin's terror managers

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  • Gregory, Paul

Abstract

This paper examines the institutional methods a brutal dictatorship uses to deal with perceived increases in the number of political enemies despite the fact that its political police and citizen loyalty are fixed in the short run. It explains how "simplified methods" of troika justice, substitution of confession for evidence, and lack of concern about convictions of innocents can produce exceptional increases in convictions by raising the productivity of the political police. Journal of Comparative Economics 37 (2) (2009) 207-216.

Suggested Citation

  • Gregory, Paul, 2009. "Simplified methods and efficiency: Stalin's terror managers," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 37(2), pages 207-216, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcecon:v:37:y:2009:i:2:p:207-216
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wintrobe,Ronald, 2000. "The Political Economy of Dictatorship," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521794497.
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