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Repression, Exit, and Dissent in an Autocracy

Author

Listed:
  • Max Deter
  • Kalle Kappner
  • Hans Lueders

Abstract

Does repression silence dissent or push people to leave? We study the arrest of protesters during East Germany's Peaceful Revolution, using novel micro-data from Leipzig. Residents of streets and houses with an arrested protester were more likely to have left their address once the Berlin Wall fell, and exit visa applications rose in the months after an arrest. Nearby protest activity and support for the opposition show no visible decline after an arrest. Our results suggest that repression raised the demand for exit without a visible retreat of voice, and that residents acted on this demand once leaving became possible.

Suggested Citation

  • Max Deter & Kalle Kappner & Hans Lueders, 2026. "Repression, Exit, and Dissent in an Autocracy," CESifo Working Paper Series 13036, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_13036
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    File URL: https://www.ifo.de/DocDL/cesifo1_wp13036.pdf
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • H10 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - General
    • N44 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Europe: 1913-
    • P20 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - General

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