To vote or to abstain? An experimental test of rational calculus in first past the post and PR elections

André Blais (), Jean-Benoit Pilet, Karine Van der Straeten (), Jean-François Laslier and Maxime Héroux-Legault
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André Blais: UdeM - Université de Montréal
Jean-Benoit Pilet: ULB - Université libre de Bruxelles
Maxime Héroux-Legault: University of Toronto

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Abstract: We test the rational choice model of turnout in the lab. We performed laboratory experiments in which participants had to decide whether to vote or not in a number of first past the post and proportional representation elections. We test the predictions of rational choice theory from three different angles: (i) First, we compare aggregate turnout with the Nash equilibrium predictions. (ii) Second, we compare individual decisions with those derived from a rational calculus and count the number of decisions which are consistent with the rational recommendation, and. (iii) Third, we determine, still at the individual level, whether, at the margin, people are more likely to vote as the expected payoff increases. The overwhelming thrust of the evidence is inconsistent with the rational calculus paradigm.

Keywords: Turnout; Vote; Abstention; Election; Laboratory experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014-12
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published in Electoral Studies, 2014, 36, pp.39-50. ⟨10.1016/j.electstud.2014.07.001⟩

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Working Paper: To vote or to abstain? An experimental test of rational calculus in first past the post and PR elections (2014)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:pseptp:halshs-01113071

DOI: 10.1016/j.electstud.2014.07.001

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