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Polarized preferences versus polarizing policies

Author

Listed:
  • Sanford C. Gordon

    (New York University)

  • Dimitri Landa

    (New York University)

Abstract

Much of contemporary political debate in the United States focuses on the issue of polarization: specifically, its causal antecedents and its consequences for policymaking and political conflict. In this article, we argue that partisan preference polarization—conventionally defined as the difference in the favored policy positions of legislators from the two major parties—is not a sufficient statistic for potential political conflict in national politics . Rather, a well-defined measure of potential conflict must take into account (1) the locations of status quo policies and proposed alternatives; and (2) the shape of underlying utility functions. We propose measures of the likely contentiousness of a given status quo policy and of a proposal to move that policy. We then demonstrate the usefulness of these measures using estimates of utility function and final passage vote parameters on enacted legislation from the 111th US Senate (2009–2011).

Suggested Citation

  • Sanford C. Gordon & Dimitri Landa, 2018. "Polarized preferences versus polarizing policies," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 176(1), pages 193-210, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:176:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s11127-018-0530-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-018-0530-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jon X. Eguia & Dimitrios Xefteris, 2024. "Can growth heal the political divide?," University of Cyprus Working Papers in Economics 03-2024, University of Cyprus Department of Economics.

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