EconTalk Archives, 2007
EconTalk Archives, 2007
EconTalk: Russ Roberts, Library of Economics and Liberty
Bruce Bueno de Mesquita on Democracies and Dictatorships
1 hour 6 minutes Posted Feb 12, 2007 at 11:15 am.
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Show notes
Bruce Bueno de Mesquita of NYU and Stanford University's Hoover Institution talks about the incentives facing dictators and democratic leaders. Both have to face competition from rivals. Both try to please their constituents and cronies to stay in power. He applies his insights to foreign aid, the Middle East, Venezuela, the potential for China's evolution to a more democratic system, and Cuba. Along the way, he explains why true democracy is more than just elections--it depends crucially on freedom of assembly and freedom of the press.