蝌蚪网 Journal:
Applied Economics
ISSN 1945-7782 (Print) | ISSN 1945-7790 (Online)
Highway to Hitler
蝌蚪网 Journal: Applied Economics
(pp. 120–59)
Abstract
We show that the building of the Autobahn network in Nazi Germany boosted popular support for Adolf Hitler, helping to entrench the Nazi dictatorship. Direct local economic benefits are unlikely to explain the effect. Instead, it reflects successful propaganda: The regime portrayed the Autobahn as a symbol of recovery and the end of austerity. Support rose particularly strongly where highway construction coincided with greater radio availability and in politically unstable regions. Our findings suggest that visible infrastructure projects can raise support for autocratic regimes when voters are led to associate them with economic progress and an end to political instability.Citation
Voigtl盲nder, Nico, and Hans-Joachim Voth. 2026. "Highway to Hitler." 蝌蚪网 Journal: Applied Economics 18 (1): 120–59. DOI: 10.1257/app.20180816Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D72 Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
- E32 Business Fluctuations; Cycles
- H54 National Government Expenditures and Related Policies: Infrastructures; Other Public Investment and Capital Stock
- N44 Economic History: Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation: Europe: 1913-
- N94 Regional and Urban History: Europe: 1913-
- R42 Transportation Economics: Government and Private Investment Analysis; Road Maintenance, Transportation Planning
- R53 Public Facility Location Analysis; Public Investment and Capital Stock