A Spatial Theory of Ideology

Melvin Hinich and Michael Munger

Journal of Theoretical Politics, 1992, vol. 4, issue 1, 5-30

Abstract: In the spatial model of politics voters choose the candidates closest to them in weighted Euclidean distance, and candidates seek to compete by positioning and repositioning themselves in and n-dimensional policy space. This model has recently come under attack from a number of scholars who assert its depiction of politics is unrealistic. Still these critiques retain the character of the original model. We offer a more radical alternative: an explicitly neo-Downsian spatial model of ideology specifying the linkage between ideological messages and policy positions. After indicating the importance of ideology as a theory, a formula depiction is offered and an illustrative empirical application is provided.

Keywords: ideology; institutions; spatial; voting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1992
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:jothpo:v:4:y:1992:i:1:p:5-30

DOI: 10.1177/0951692892004001001

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