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Monotone comparative statics in the Calvert–Wittman model

Author

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  • Francisco Rodríguez

    (Council on Foreign Relations)

  • Eduardo Zambrano

    (Orfalea College of Business, Cal Poly)

Abstract

In this paper, we show that when policy-motivated parties can commit to a particular platform during a uni-dimensional electoral contest where valence issues do not arise there must be a positive association between the policies preferred by candidates and the policies adopted in expectation in the lowest and the highest equilibria of the electoral contest. We also show that this need not be so if the parties cannot commit to a particular policy. The implication is that evidence of a negative relationship between enacted and preferred policies is suggestive of parties that hold positions from which they would like to move from yet are unable to do so.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco Rodríguez & Eduardo Zambrano, 2022. "Monotone comparative statics in the Calvert–Wittman model," Economic Theory Bulletin, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 10(1), pages 105-116, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:etbull:v:10:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s40505-022-00220-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s40505-022-00220-8
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Credibility and commitment; Political competition;

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D78 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation

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