Succession rules and leadership rents

Arbeitspapier

Leaders compensate supporters not just for performing their duties but also in order to preempt an overthrow by the same supporters. We show how succession rules affect the power of leaders relative to supporters as well as the resources expended on possible succession struggles. We compare two regimes of leadership succession: the conclave regime and the divide-et-impera regime which differ with respect to the role of supporters of the previous leader once the new leader takes power. The leadership rent is higher and supporters receive a lower compensation in the divide-et-impera regime, as supporters have to fight harder for succession to avoid the grim outcome of loss. Leaders, then, would like to induce the divide-et-impera regime even when every supporter has veto power over his leadership.

Object Details

• Alternative title: Nachfolgeregeln und die Verteilung von Renten aus Herrschaft
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: WZB Discussion Paper ; No. SP II 2005-13

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior ; Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions ; National Government Expenditures and Related Policies: General ; Economic History: Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation: General, International, or Comparative
• Subject: Political leadership ; political support ; political survival ; successorship

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Konrad, Kai Andreas ; Skaperdas, Stergios
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB)
• (where): Berlin
• (when): 2005

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/51112
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET