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Title Essays in Political Economy of Corruption, Economic Development and Collective Action
Full text https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2949j0cn
Date 2023
Author(s) Karavardanyan, Sargis
Contributor(s) Kopstein, Jeffrey S
Abstract The dissertation consists of three chapters in political economy that embark on a comprehensive examination of the economic and sociopolitical determinants that shape the landscape of protests and social movements. The research endeavors across three substantive chapters, each answering unique, yet intertwined, questions about the interplay between economic factors, perceived corruption, and the propensity of individuals and societies to mobilize.The first chapter critically interrogates the intersection of perceived corruption, personal income, and societal trust on an individual's likelihood to participate in protests. Contrary to the rain- maker effect hypothesis, the research posits that individuals in high-income brackets, even with considerable societal trust, might be hesitant to protest when perceiving elevated corruption lev- els. A carefully designed decision analysis model offers insight into the cost-benefit framework that influences individuals' choices, and empirical tests provide some support for this approach.Building on the economic premise, the second chapter delves deep into the nexus of economic globalization, regime corruption, and their effects on protest frequencies in developing contexts, particularly African nations. This research posits that while foreign direct investments (FDI) might stimulate short-term protests, they eventually subside in the long run. However, trade openness, particularly when juxtaposed with corruption, manifests contrasting effects. China and the US's economic roles in Africa, as discerned through their FDI and trade relations, offer intriguing insights, highlighting that globalization's implications are not monolithic and instead are heavily contingent on the sociopolitical landscape.The concluding chapter shifts its focus to the United States, tracing the nexus between economic development, income inequality, and the trajectory of state-level social movements from the Civil Rights era to the mid-1990s. The research underscores that while per-capita income growth augments social movements, stark income disparities inversely influence them. Such findings advocate for policies promoting equitable growth, ensuring societal progression remains inclusive and harmonious.Collectively, this dissertation bridges the gap between economics and social movement literature, elucidating the intricate relationships and their implications for policy and societal cohesion. Through detailed empirical scrutiny and theory-driven investigations, the research offers a nuanced under- standing of the multifaceted drivers propelling societal mobilizations.
Subject(s) Political science; Economics; Collective Action; Corruption; Economic Development; Methodology; Political Economy; Protests
Language en
Publisher eScholarship, University of California
Type of publication etd
Rights CC-BY-NC-ND
Identifier qt2949j0cn
Repository Berkeley - University of California
Added to C-A: 2023-12-04;09:21:04