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Suppressing Shays' Rebellion

Author

Listed:
  • Michael J. G. Cain
  • Keith L. Dougherty

Abstract

Under the Articles of Confederation, the American states frequently failed to pay their requisitions to the national government, sapping it of revenue. This paper explains the failure to raise revenue from the states by analyzing the system of requisitions in the context of Shays' Rebellion. Shays' Rebellion is of particular interest because it illustrates the clear conflict between common state interests and constitutional obligations on the one hand and the incentives to withhold contributions on the other. Our analysis shows that states had sufficient resources to fund a national army but did not contribute these resources to the nation. With adequate revenues within the states, the flaws of the Articles of Confederation were clearly revealed. The Articles failed to prevent free-riding among states, contributed to the disharmony of the union, and ultimately prevented Congress from accomplishing its constitutional tasks. These problems were not unique to the Articles. They result from voluntary requisition systems in general.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael J. G. Cain & Keith L. Dougherty, 1999. "Suppressing Shays' Rebellion," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 11(2), pages 233-260, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jothpo:v:11:y:1999:i:2:p:233-260
    DOI: 10.1177/0951692899011002005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bendor, Jonathan & Swistak, Piotr, 1997. "The Evolutionary Stability of Cooperation," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 91(2), pages 290-307, June.
    2. Dougherty, Keith L & Cain, Michael J G, 1997. "Marginal Cost Sharing and the Articles of Confederation," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 90(1-4), pages 201-213, March.
    3. Rapoport, Amnon, 1985. "Provision of Public Goods and the MCS Experimental Paradigm," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 79(1), pages 148-155, March.
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