Incredible commitment: influence accumulation, consensus-making, and the collapse of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

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Collection:
Mokslo publikacijos / Scientific publications
Document Type:
Straipsnis / Article
Language:
Anglų kalba / English
Title:
Incredible commitment: influence accumulation, consensus-making, and the collapse of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
Authors:
Malinowski, Mikołaj
In the Journal:
Explorations in economic history, 2025, vol. 95, 101633, p. 1-21
Subject Category:
LT
Bajorai. Didikai. Valdovai / Gentry. Nobles. Kings; Ekonominė istorija / Economic history; Politinė istorija / Political history; 1569-1795. Lietuva ATR laikotarpiu; Lietuva (Lithuania); Lenkija (Poland).
Summary / Abstract:

ENI aim to explain the petrification of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth's parliament due to the veto in the 17th and 18th centuries. I study genealogical data on senatorial ancestors and identify the formation of an oligarchic elite. I propose that the accumulation of influence by powerful individuals undermined their vested interest in the state's continuation. This weakened the elite's ability to credibly commit to political agreements, reach consensus, and sustain the extractive regime. I argue that the overly limited king failed to act as an arbiter in oligarchic disputes. This challenges the conventional view regarding the benefits of limited royal authority. Keywords: oligarchy, inequality, limited-access state, state failure, parliamentarism, little divergence.

DOI:
10.1016/j.eeh.2024.101633
ISSN:
0014-4983; 1090-2457
Subject:
Istorija / History
Related Publications:
Księstwa Rzeczpospolitej: państwo magnackie jako region polityczny. Warszawa : IGiPZ PAN, 2013. 396 p.
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https://www.lituanistika.lt/content/113207
Updated:
2025-07-29 19:18:03
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