Identification of Dynastic Power in Contexts with Spanish Naming Conventions

We propose a simple measure of dynastic power which may be applied to any context with Spanish naming conventions. Using our measure, we characterize the evolution and distribution of dynastic power across Mexican... [ view full abstract ]

We propose a simple measure of dynastic power which may be applied to any context with Spanish naming conventions. Using our measure, we characterize the evolution and distribution of dynastic power across Mexican municipalities and over time, and test for differences in dynastic power between genders. We show that male mayors' paternal last name is significantly more likely to reappear as future office holders' paternal last name than as their maternal last name, suggesting that mayors' direct descendants have a higher probability of holding office than other individuals with similar ability. However, female mayors' paternal last names are not more likely to reappear as future office holders' maternal last names than as paternal last names.