Democratization or Repression?

Regimes controlled by a rich elite often collapse and make way for democracy amidst
widespread social unrest. Such regime changes are often followed by redistribution to the
poor at the expense of the former elite. We argue that the reason why the elite may have
to resort to full-scale democratization, despite its apparent costs to themselves, may be
that lesser concessions would be viewed as a sign a weakness and spur further unrest and
more radical demands. The elite may therefore be forced to choose between repression
and the most generous concession, a transition to full democracy.