Expropriation requires buying off a fraction of the population

Evidence

Note that when M < 1/2 then supermajorities are needed to pass legislation. Also, in order to expropriate the leader has to ”buy off” a fraction (1 −M) of the population in order not to be blocked. Thus, ex ante each individual in the polity faces probability M of being subject to the expropriation, if the latter is not blocked. — Philippe Aghion, Alberto Alesina, and Francesco Trebbi, Endogenous Political Institutions, 32

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies the mechanical meaning of the blocking threshold M: it simultaneously sets the supermajority requirement and the coalition a would-be expropriator must purchase.