WHY DO DIFFERENT TYPES OF AUTHORITARIAN REGIMES PROVIDE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PUBLIC GOODS?

Why do different types of authoritarian regimes provide different levels of public goods? This thesis compares Chad's personalist political regime to Gabon's single-party regime in terms of their provision of different levels of public goods. The research suggests that a regime's type, its survival strategies, and its vulnerability impact public goods distribution. More specifically, personalist regimes, like those in Chad since independence, that rely principally on coercive survival strategies are less likely to prioritize public goods distribution. By contrast, party regimes can use a wider array of survival strategies, including public goods provision, to remain in power. In both countries, greater oil revenue contributes to greater investments in public goods. The thesis informs theories of authoritarian regime behavior and political stability by examining the relationship between authoritarian regime type and public goods distribution in oil-producing states.Lieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release. distribution is unlimite