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Understanding Voting Behaviour in Complex Political Systems

Author

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  • Lapatinas Athanasios

    (Department of Economics, University of Ioannina, P. O. Box 1186, 45110 Ioannina, Greece)

Abstract

We suggest in this paper that voting in political systems can be profitably analysed using complex system analysis. We discuss how we can capture the complexity of voting behaviour by applying graph theory in networks and we develop a simplified theoretical model of voting choice adopting the basic heuristics of the behavioural decision theory. We feel that such a complex systems approach provides a superior basis for understanding voting behaviour compared to standard political economy analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Lapatinas Athanasios, 2014. "Understanding Voting Behaviour in Complex Political Systems," Mathematical Economics Letters, De Gruyter, vol. 2(3-4), pages 59-65, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:maecol:v:2:y:2014:i:3-4:p:7:n:2
    DOI: 10.1515/mel-2014-0001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Voting; Theory; Complex Systems; Behavioural Economics; Model; Graph Theory; Voting; Theory; Complex Systems; Behavioural Economics; Model; Graph Theory;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B00 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - General - - - History of Economic Thought, Methodology, and Heterodox Approaches
    • B41 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - Economic Methodology
    • B59 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Other
    • C02 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - Mathematical Economics
    • P40 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - General
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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