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Connections during Democratic Transitions: Insights from the Political Purge in Post-WWII France

Author

Listed:
  • Toke S. Aidt
  • Jean Lacroix
  • Pierre-Guillaume Méon

Abstract

We examine how connections shaped transitional justice during France's post-WWII democratic transition. Parliamentarians who had supported the Vichy regime faced a two-stage purge process involving two courts. Using a difference-in-differences strategy, we find that law graduates—an influential group with ties to one of the courts—had a 10 to 14 percentage point higher acquittal rate. We analyze 17,589 documents in individual defendants' files to explain this difference. According to this analysis, indirect connections—connections through third parties—enabled transmission of information to the judges, highlighting how connected elite groups can navigate transitions despite institutional safeguards.

Suggested Citation

  • Toke S. Aidt & Jean Lacroix & Pierre-Guillaume Méon, 2026. "Connections during Democratic Transitions: Insights from the Political Purge in Post-WWII France," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 18(1), pages 318-348, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:18:y:2026:i:1:p:318-48
    DOI: 10.1257/pol.20240411
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • K41 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Litigation Process
    • N44 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Europe: 1913-

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