To Purge or Not to Purge? An Individual-Level Quantitative Analysis of Elite Purges in Dictatorships

Abstract Why do dictators purge specific elites but not others? And why these in certain ways? Examining related questions helps us understand only how retain sufficient competence their regimes to alleviate popular and foreign threats, also nullify elite threats. Dictators are more likely first-generation elites, who powerful because they can negotiate role from a position of strength possess valuable vertical horizontal linkages with other elites. Further, tend imprison purged – rather than execute, exile or simply remove them avoid retaliation the continuing sow discord. We find empirical support for our predictions novel data on autocratic 16 1922 2020.