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Repression of Human Rights to Personal Integrity in the 1980s: A Global Analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2013

Steven C. Poe  and
C. Neal Tate
Steven C. Poe
Affiliation:
University of North Texas
C. Neal Tate
Affiliation:
University of North Texas
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Abstract

This crossnational study seeks to explain variations in governmental repression of human rights to personal integrity (state terrorism) in a 153-country sample during the eighties. We outline theoretical perspectives on this topic and subject them to empirical tests using a technique appropriate for our pooled cross-sectional time-series design, namely, ordinary least squares with robust standard errors and a lagged dependent variable. We find democracy and participation in civil or international war to have substantively important and statistically significant effects on repression. The effects of economic development and population size are more modest. The hypothesis linking leftist regime types to abuse of personal integrity rights receives some support. We find no reliable evidence that population growth, British cultural influence, military control, or economic growth affect levels of repression. We conclude by considering the implications of our findings for scholars and practitioners concerned with the prevention of personal integrity abuse.

Type
Articles
Information
American Political Science Review , Volume 88 , Issue 4 , December 1994 , pp. 853 - 872
Copyright
Copyright © American Political Science Association 1994

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