Ideology and Competence in Alternative Electoral Systems

Andrea Mattozzi and Matias Iaryczower
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Matias Iaryczower: Caltech

No 980, 2008 Meeting Papers from Society for Economic Dynamics

Abstract: We develop a model of elections in proportional (PR) and majoritarian (FPTP) electoral systems. The model allows for an endogenous number of candidates, differentiation of candidates in a private value dimension, or ideology, and a common value dimension, which we interpret broadly as quality. Voters are fully rational and strategic. We show that the quality of the candidates is always at least as high in majoritarian electoral systems than in proportional electoral systems, and that the number of candidates is always at least as large in PR as in FPTP (where exactly two candidates run). Moreover, we provide conditions under which the rankings are strict. The diversity of ideological positions represented in elections can be larger in PR or FPTP elections. In the most efficient equilibrium, however, FPTP implies perfect convergence of candidates in the median. Since a convergent equilibrium can never occur in PR, and voters are risk averse, the most efficient equilibrium in FPTP dominates in terms of voters' welfare the most efficient equilirbium in PR.

Date: 2008
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Related works:
Working Paper: Ideology and Competence in Alternative Electoral Systems (2008)
Working Paper: Ideology and competence in alternative electoral systems (2008)
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