A Dynamic theory of electoral competition

Marco Battaglini

No 8633, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: We present a dynamic model of electoral competition to study the determinants of fiscal policy. In each period, two parties choose electoral platforms to maximize the expected number of elected representatives. The electoral platform includes public expenditure, redistributive transfers, the tax rate and the level of public debt. Voters cast their vote after seeing the platforms and elect representatives according to a majoritarian winner take all system. The level of debt, by affecting the budget constraint in future periods, creates a strategic linkage between electoral cycles. We characterize the Markov equilibrium of this game when public debt is the state variable, and study how Pareto efficiency depends on the electoral rule and the underlying fundamentals of the economy.

Date: 2011-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm and nep-pol
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Journal Article: A dynamic theory of electoral competition (2014)
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