Dynamic electoral competition with voter loss-aversion and imperfect recall

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Lockwood, Ben; Le, Minh; Rockey, James
• 署名单位: University of Warwick; University of Birmingham; University of Warwick
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2024.105072
• 发表日期: 2024
• 关键词: electoral competition; Repeated elections; Loss-aversion; Imperfect recall; polarization

摘要

This paper explores the implications of voter loss -aversion and imperfect recall for the dynamics of electoral competition in a simple Downsian model of repeated elections. The interplay between the median voter's reference point and political parties' choice of platforms generates a dynamic process of (de)polarization, following an initial shift in party ideology. This is consistent with the gradual nature of long-term trends in polarization in the US Congress.