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On the Ideology Motive in Political Economy Models

Author

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  • Volker Grossmann

    (University of Fribourg, Switzerland, CESifo, Germany and Institute for the Study of Labor, Germany)

Abstract

This note provides a simple political economy model which captures the trade-off of political parties between catering to their "core" constituency and appealing to middle-of-the-road voters, who are not intrinsically attached to a party. The analysis reconciles seemingly ideology-motivated behavior of political parties with vote-maximization.

Suggested Citation

  • Volker Grossmann, 2006. "On the Ideology Motive in Political Economy Models," International Journal of Business and Economics, School of Management Development, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan, vol. 5(1), pages 75-82, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:ijb:journl:v:5:y:2006:i:1:p:75-82
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    7. Reed, W. Robert, 2006. "Democrats, republicans, and taxes: Evidence that political parties matter," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(4-5), pages 725-750, May.
    8. Alesina, Alberto, 1988. "Credibility and Policy Convergence in a Two-Party System with Rational Voters," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 78(4), pages 796-805, September.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    ideological polarization; partisan constituency; political parties;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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