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This paper offers a theory and an explicit mathematical model of a peasant revolution's effects on inequality and status inheritance. We predict that, when an exploited peasantry revolts and overthrows the traditional elite, (1) in the short run, peasants are better off, and both inequality and status inheritance decline. But human capital becomes more valuable, and revolution does not benefit the poorest of its supporters as much as those who were better off before. (2) In the long run, peasants still benefit. But revolution proves new opportunities for those with education, ability, luck, or other resources; therefore economic inequality, educational inequality, and status inheritance grow steadily among the peasantry. In many circumstances, inequality and status inheritance will also grow in the society as a whole and may eventually exceed their prerevolutionary levels. The theory applies not only to revolutions but also to the long-run effects of any economic or social change that reduces exploitation or increases economic opportunities.
Kelley et al. (Fri,) studied this question.