The Myth of the Benevolent Autocrat? Internal Constraints, External Constraints, and Economic Development in Autocracies

Abstract

This dissertation -and the adventure on the side -would not have been possible without the help and support of colleagues, friends, and family. A long list of people have in different ways contributed to realize this project.First of all, I am extremely thankful to my advisor Ben Ansell. His advice, comments, and many suggestions have improved the thesis enormously. Apart from being a brilliant researcher, Ben is also the most supportive advisor. His help has stretched far beyond the thesis. I will always be grateful to Ben for taking me on board, helping me secure funding, co-authoring papers, and guiding me through the labyrinth of academia.I am also grateful to my colleagues, both former and present, at the University of Oxford. Oxford is a magical place, mostly due to the people who inhabit it. I was lucky to study together with a group of talented and ambitious people.