Congratulations Pit!!

Congratulations Sven!! 🔥

Congrats Theresa!

Congrats Reto, such an awesome location!

Finally, if you are at #APSA2025, make sure to stop by at our HPE panel.

When? Sun, Sep. 14, 10 AM

Who?
M. Wilfahrt, L. Arriola, @yoseftadesse.bsky.social, I. Kolesnikov, @ricarthuguet.bsky.social, J. Pierskalla, D. Smith, @jguardado.bsky.social, @robertovalli.bsky.social , @carlmc.bsky.social 🥳

Well, that is true, but it is no wild idea. Countries with lots of experience in referenda keep dropping good, calibrated policy thanks to 50% +1 of 35%. It's hard to find the right thresholds to balance noise and voice...

Are you sure it's the right country? 😉

Link to the preprint version: robertovalli.com/files/train_...

Our findings provide a more nuanced evaluation of the effects of modernization. While France witnessed the relatively peaceful assimilation of peripheral groups, the broader picture suggests resistance to state-building, especially in weak, autocratic states with large excluded groups.

We find that groups exposed to railway connection experience increased probability of separatist mobilization. Results are robust to an IV strategy and other checks. Our measures of separatism span from the emergence of nationalist organizations to full-fledged armed rebellion.

Our DiD strategy exploits the staggered connection of European ethnic groups to the railway network. 1830s-1920s, railways expanded from the state center to the periphery. Together with trade and communication, railroads brought state penetration and internal connectivity.