Life after exile: Introducing a new dataset on post-exile fate

Recent research in international relations and comparative politics has highlighted the post-tenure fate of leaders, particularly exile. Scholars view exile either as a punishment or a “golden parachute” offering a safe exit with potential future power. To assess which perspective aligns with reality, we developed a dataset tracking exiled leaders’ fates across three periods: during exile, upon returning home, and beyond. Our findings reveal significant variations, but the majority of exiled leaders eventually return home and resume power. This suggests a need to reconsider research that groups exile with punishments like imprisonment or execution.