Christian Bjørnskov (Aarhus University) 23.5.2024

It is our pleasure that Prof. Christian Bjørnskov (Aarhus University) will present on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 12:45 in room RB437 about the topic “How long is the Economic Legacy of Autocracy?“

Registration is not required and anyone who would like to attend is warmly invited.

It is also possible to participate online via MS Teams. To get access, please, contact lubomir.cingl@vse.cz.

Abstract: This study investigates the lasting repercussions of military dictatorship and civilian autocracy on economic and institutional landscapes following transitions to democracy. Despite the global trend toward democratic governance over the past half-century, many countries continue to grapple with an underwhelming economic performance following transitions. We explore the persistence of autocratic legacies, examining how institutional frameworks and economic trajectories evolve—or persist—after regime changes. Our analysis reveals nuanced patterns: while military dictatorships often leave minimal institutional and economic imprints within five years of transition, non-military autocracies frequently bequeath more enduring challenges. By illuminating these dynamics, our study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding post-authoritarian development and informs more effective policy responses for fostering sustainable democratic transitions.

BIO: Christian Bjørnskov is professor of economics at Aarhus University in Denmark, and affiliated researcher at the IFN in Stockholm. His main research interests include public choice, long-run development processes, institutional economics, and conflict economics. His research has been published in journals such as American Journal of Political Science, Public Choice, Journal of Development Economics and Journal of Conflict Resolution.