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Coups, Regime Transition, and the Dynamics of Press Freedom

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  • Bjørnskov, Christian
  • Freytag, Andreas
  • Gutmann, Jerg

Abstract

This paper explores the dynamics of press freedom around events that threaten or oust the incumbent regime of a country. While democracies on average grant the press more freedom, our theoretical starting point is that democracies and autocracies may have similar incentives to protect the power of the governing regime. A priori it is, nevertheless, not clear whether democracies or autocracies react more harshly – by silencing or controlling the media – to an attempt to overthrow the government. We estimate the dynamics of press freedom around both failed and successful coups and find that although press freedom is quite stable, successful coups lead to a substantial reduction in press freedom. This is, however, only the case when the coup is directed against a democratically elected government.

Suggested Citation

  • Bjørnskov, Christian & Freytag, Andreas & Gutmann, Jerg, 2018. "Coups, Regime Transition, and the Dynamics of Press Freedom," ILE Working Paper Series 15, University of Hamburg, Institute of Law and Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ilewps:15
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    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. Koloniinstitutioner og moderne demokrati
      by Christian Bjørnskov in Punditokraterne on 2018-08-20 18:45:11

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    Cited by:

    1. Christian Bjørnskov & Stefan Voigt, 2021. "Is constitutionalized media freedom only window dressing? Evidence from terrorist attacks," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 187(3), pages 321-348, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    coup; political instability; press freedom;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media

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