Although democracy is, in principle, the antithesis of dynastic rule, families with multiple members in elective office continue to be common around the world.
Smith is Associate Professor in the Department of Government at Harvard University..
About the Author Daniel M.
His findings extend far beyond Japan, shedding light on the causes and consequences of dynastic politics for democracies around the world.
Smith shows how the nature and extent of this advantage, as well as its consequences for representation, vary significantly with the institutional context of electoral rules and features of party organization.
Drawing on extensive legislator-level data from twelve democracies and detailed candidate-level data from Japan, he examines the Inherited Advantage that members of Dynasties reap throughout their political careers--from candidate selection, to election, to promotion into cabinet.
Smith introduces a compelling comparative theory to explain variation in the presence of Dynasties across democracies and political parties.
Smith sets out to explain when and why Dynasties persist in democracies, and why their numbers are only now beginning to wane in Japan--questions that have long perplexed regional experts.
In Dynasties and Democracy, Daniel M.
Japan is a startling exception, with over a quarter of all legislators in recent years being dynastic.
In most democracies, the proportion of such "democratic dynasties" declines over time, and rarely exceeds ten percent of all legislators.
Although democracy is, in principle, the antithesis of dynastic rule, families with multiple members in elective office continue to be common around the world
