Document Type
Article
Abstract
Sovereign default has myriad economic and political consequences. Existing research, however, has not explored the human costs of sovereign default, though some link the fiscal flexibility afforded by sovereign creditworthiness to improved human rights performance. But what are the consequences when sovereigns lose all creditworthiness and default on their debt obligations? I argue that while the average effect of default is negative for respect for physical integrity rights, a conditional effect exists. When states devote more of their resources to debt service and default, they are likely to see a short term increase in respect for physical integrity rights. I find robust support for these arguments using panel data on over 90 developing countries from 1981–2010.
Publication Date
2-24-2023
Publication Title
Social Sciences
Volume
12
Issue
3
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12030121
Recommended Citation
Bagwell, Stephen, "Repudiation and Repression: The Human Costs of Sovereign Default" (2023). Educator Preparation & Leadership Faculty Works. 52.
DOI: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12030121
Available at:
https://irl.umsl.edu/epir/52