Voting motives

Panu Poutvaara and Robert Schwager

Chapter 117 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Public Choice, 2025, pp 824-833 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Why do people vote, and why do they vote the way they do? To answer this question, we discuss voting to change the outcome in favor of one's own material interest (pocketbook voting) and common good-oriented motives, which may provide utility independently of the outcome. Among the latter are promoting the welfare of others, signaling public mindedness, expressing support for a cause, following ethical norms, and adhering to group identity. We conclude that pocketbook motives are relevant when specific proposals are at stake, but people often also vote in line with the common good, even at a cost to themselves.

Keywords: Instrumental voting; Pivotal probability; Paradox of not voting; Pocketbook voting; Expressive voting; Social pressure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781802207743
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