Speaker
Matthias Schündeln
(GNOI)
Description
This paper first shows the potential of climate change to affect the stability of political systems. More specifically, using data from Africa, I show that experiencing extreme weather events decreases support for democracy in the population. Second, I show evidence that suggests that variation in food availability is a channel that connects weather events with support for democratic systems. Finally, the results provide a fresh perspective on the relationship between economic development and democracy. Using individual-level data allows me to tie the analysis closely to some of the micro-foundations in existing theories. The results show that improvements in living conditions lead to stronger support for a democratic system.
Primary author
Matthias Schündeln
(GNOI)
