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District magnitude and representation of the majority’s preferences: Evidence from popular and parliamentary votes*

* This paper has been replicated

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  • Marco Portmann
  • David Stadelmann
  • Reiner Eichenberger

Abstract

Representatives have more effective incentives to cater to the preferences of the majority of citizens when they are elected in districts with few rather than many seats. We investigate this hypothesis empirically by matching Swiss members of parliament’s voting behavior on legislative proposals with real referendum outcomes on the same issues for the years 1996 to 2008. We thus identify the impact of district magnitude on representatives’ incentives to adhere to citizens’ revealed preferences. We find systematic, statistically significant and economically relevant evidence that individual representatives from districts with few seats vote more often in line with majority preferences. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Portmann & David Stadelmann & Reiner Eichenberger, 2012. "District magnitude and representation of the majority’s preferences: Evidence from popular and parliamentary votes," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 151(3), pages 585-610, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:151:y:2012:i:3:p:585-610
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-010-9760-0
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    Replication

    This item has been replicated by:
  • John Carey & Simon Hix, 2013. "District magnitude and representation of the majority’s preferences: a comment and reinterpretation," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 154(1), pages 139-148, January.

    • More about this item

    Keywords

    Voter preferences; Political economy; Electoral systems; D72; D70; H00;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D70 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - General
    • H00 - Public Economics - - General - - - General

    Lists

    This item is featured on the following reading lists, Wikipedia, or ReplicationWiki pages:
    1. District magnitude and representation of the majority’s preferences: Evidence from popular and parliamentary votes (Public Choice 2012) in ReplicationWiki

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