The study explores how family size influences leadership stability across medieval and early modern eras. Data & Methods The researchers analyzed leader deposition events from several European archives spanning the 14th-18th centuries. This included examining royal records, religious chronicles, and nobility documents to account for gender roles.

Key Findings Contrary to expectations of dynastic stability, larger kin networks actually increased leadership turnover rates by roughly 20% compared to smaller families in their sample countries.

Why It Matters? This suggests that close familial ties may create more intense competition for power and resources within Europe's historical ruling circles.