7: Electoral Competition Flashcards
Instrumentally rational condition for voting
p*B > c
the probability of being pivotal times the benifit of getting the prefered candidate has be be higher then the cost of voting
What are results of the pivotal voter model
Footnote
Assumptions:
- two parties
- voting purely instrumental
- higher participation for close elections
- higher turnout among minority supporters
- declining participation with population size
What are non-instrumental benefits of voting
- fullfilling an ethical norm
- afferming allegiance to political system
- expressing support for candidate
What are possible assumptions when modeling electoral competition?
- office vs policy motivated candidates
- can candidates credibly commit
- do voters vote sincere
What are the results of the basic downs model?
Footnote
2 candidates
candidates are office motivated
can credibly commit
both candidates choose the postition of the median voter
what are the results of the downs model when making following changes:
- policy motivated, commit
- policy motivated, cant commit
- office motivated, commit, abstention if rather indifferent
- median is eqb
- more moderate condidate wins
- median is eqb
What are the results of the downs model if there are multiple policy dimensions?
Unlikely to have an eqb (McKelveys theorem)
What is the result of a citizen candidates model? (everyone can run, but it is costley)
Polarization increases with running cost
What is the result of directional voting theories? (vote for candidate on the ‘correct side’ of the issue
polarization
What happens in electoral competition between 3 candidates?
Footnote
candidates maximize own vote share, commit)
no eqb due to squezing effect
What happens in electoral competition between 4 candidates?
Footnote
candidates maximize own vote share, commit)
eqb at 0.25, 0.25, 0.75, 0.75
What is strategic voting between multiple candidates and what are the consequences?
To avoid wasted votes, voters coordinate on 2 parties
What is retrospective voting and what are its consequences?
Voting for the incumbent candidate of she did well
- increases incentive for incumbend
- voters have no incentive to stick to rule
