Economics
The Political Economy of Authoritarian Regime Longevity
Quick fact
Many of the world's most enduring authoritarian regimes, from Saudi Arabia to the Soviet Union, have been underpinned by substantial natural resource wealth, suggesting that oil and gas riches can act as a political stabilizer for autocrats.
Why this is interesting
We often think that unhappy citizens brought down dictators, but many authoritarian regimes have stayed in power for decades despite widespread poverty and repression. What is the economic secret behind their longevity?