Articles by Jan Pierskalla

September 16, 2021

How dictators try, but ultimately fail, to create loyal bureaucrats

Jan Pierskalla

Dictators depend on committed bureaucrats to stay in power. To instil loyalty, some indoctrinate through enforced military service. Alexander De Juan, Felix Haaß, and Jan Pierskalla warn that this strategy can backfire. Rather than creating truly convinced cadres, conscription can help bureaucrats get better at faking loyalty

Jan Pierskalla

Associate Professor of Political Science, Ohio State University

Jan's research focuses on the political economy of development, violence, and state-building.

He has a particular interest in bureaucracies.

janpierskalla.com

Follow him on Twitter @MedianVoter

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