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What Motivates Leaders to Invest in Nation-Building?

Author

Listed:
  • Giuliano, Paola

    (University of California, Los Angeles)

  • Reich, Bryony

    (Kellogg)

  • Riboni, Alessandro

    (Ecole Polytechnique, Paris)

Abstract

Why do some leaders invest in significant nation-building policies and others do not? Why does nation-building occur at certain junctures in time and not others? In our research, we investigate what motivates leaders to nation build. We argue that threats to their regime motivate rulers to invest in significant nation-building and that the type of threats that provoke nation-building have largely materialized since the 19th century.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuliano, Paola & Reich, Bryony & Riboni, Alessandro, 2022. "What Motivates Leaders to Invest in Nation-Building?," IZA Discussion Papers 15422, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15422
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paglayan, Agustina S., 2021. "The Non-Democratic Roots of Mass Education: Evidence from 200 Years," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 115(1), pages 179-198, February.
    2. Alberto Alesina & Bryony Reich & Alessandro Riboni, 2017. "Nation-Building, Nationalism, and Wars," Working Papers 2017-80, Center for Research in Economics and Statistics.
    3. Philippe Aghion & Xavier Jaravel & Torsten Persson & Dorothée Rouzet, 2019. "Education and Military Rivalry," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 17(2), pages 376-412.
    4. Davide Cantoni & Yuyu Chen & David Y. Yang & Noam Yuchtman & Y. Jane Zhang, 2017. "Curriculum and Ideology," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 125(2), pages 338-392.
    5. Alberto Alesina & Bryony Reich & Alessandro Riboni, 2020. "Nation-building, nationalism, and $$\hbox {wars}^*$$ wars ∗," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 25(4), pages 381-430, December.
    6. Davide Cantoni & Yuyu Chen & David Y. Yang & Noam Yuchtman & Y. Jane Zhang, 2017. "Curriculum and Ideology," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 125(2), pages 338-392.
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    Cited by:

    1. Auriol, Emmanuelle & Dahmani-Scuitti, Anaïs, 2025. "Decentralization in Autocraties," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • N0 - Economic History - - General
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State

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