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Costly Voting

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  • Tilman Borgers

Abstract

What are good voting rules if voting is costly? We analyze this question for the case that an electorate chooses among two alternatives. In a symmetric private value model of voting we show that majority voting with voluntary participation Paretodominates majority voting with compulsory participation as well as random decision-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Tilman Borgers, 2004. "Costly Voting," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 94(1), pages 57-66, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:94:y:2004:i:1:p:57-66
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/000282804322970706
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