Regime type, strategic interaction, and the diversionary use of force

This study explores the relative propensity of democratic and autocratic re gimes to engage in diversionary behavior. Although previous research has fo cused on the willingness of leaders to engage in conflict, recent studies s uggest an alternative explanation: the effect of strategic interaction oppo rtunities. Previous studies suggest that even though democratic leaders may have an incentive to use foreign policy to manipulate domestic audiences, would-be adversaries limit their interaction opportunities. This article ex tends the analysis to a comparison of the behavior of democratic and autocr atic regimes. Using three different indicators of the domestic political vu lnerability of leaders-economic growth rates, protests, and rebellions-the results indicate that democratic leaders are apparently more affected by st rategic interaction opportunities than their autocratic counterparts.