Voters' dissatisfaction, abstention and entropy: analysis in European countries

Paulo Jorge Ferreira () and Andreia Dionisio

CEFAGE-UE Working Papers from University of Evora, CEFAGE-UE (Portugal)

Abstract: This paper intends to explore the utilization of entropy through politics and election results, an area just slightly explored. It generalizes the interpretation of entropy, considering it a measure of dissatisfaction and disillusion of populations in relation to politics. Some phenomena like the increase of abstention in a country, consequence of the dissatisfaction of population and of their alienation in relation to politics could be detected and analysed. This discontentment could result, for example, in the appearance of new political parties, with more division of votes and increasing entropy (result of the discontentment and uncertainty by electors). Absolute majorities, while imply less dispersion of votes, are synonym of more confidence in a given party, making a reduction of entropy.

Keywords: Entropy; Electoral Results; Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction of Population. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C19 D72 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm, nep-hap and nep-pol
Date: 2008
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Persistent link: http://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cfe:wpcefa:2008_11

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