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Incumbent-challenger and open-seat elections in a spatial model of political competition

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  • Paul Redmond

    (The Economic and Social Research Institute)

Abstract

In Groseclose (Am J Political Sci 45:862–886, 2001), candidates with asymmetric valence scores and varying degrees of policy motivation simultaneously choose divergent policies. I take a version of the Groseclose model with policy-motivated candidates and extend it to allow for sequential policy announcements. This may be a suitable approach for incumbent-challenger elections because the incumbent’s policy is typically known before the challenger’s. I show that policy divergence is greater when candidates announce policies sequentially as opposed to simultaneously. I also show that policy-motivated incumbents benefit from a first-mover advantage.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Redmond, 2017. "Incumbent-challenger and open-seat elections in a spatial model of political competition," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 170(1), pages 79-97, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:170:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s11127-016-0383-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-016-0383-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Matthew T. Cole & Ivan Pastine & Tuvana Pastine, 2018. "Incumbency Advantage in an Electoral Contest," The Economic and Social Review, Economic and Social Studies, vol. 49(4), pages 419-436.

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