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The Median Voter According to GARP

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  • Geoffrey K. Turnbull
  • Chinkun Chang

Abstract

This paper adapts the generalized axiom of revealed preference (GARP) empirical method to the public goods problem to test whether observed municipal public spending can be explained “as if” the city governments maximize the utility of the median income voter. It applies the test procedure for medium‐size municipal governments in five Midwest states. The data are consistent with GARP and reveal that the local governments in the sample behave as if they maximize median voter utility once we control for the state‐specific effects, government management structure, and population density.

Suggested Citation

  • Geoffrey K. Turnbull & Chinkun Chang, 1998. "The Median Voter According to GARP," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 64(4), pages 1001-1010, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:64:y:1998:i:4:p:1001-1010
    DOI: 10.1002/j.2325-8012.1998.tb00116.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Roberto Brunetti & Matthieu Pourieux, 2023. "Representative Policy-Makers? A Behavioral Experiment with French Politicians," Working Papers 2319, Groupe d'Analyse et de Théorie Economique Lyon St-Étienne (GATE Lyon St-Étienne), Université de Lyon.
    2. Roger Hewett & Charles A. Holt & Georgia Kosmopoulou & Christine Kymn & Cheryl X. Long & Shabnam Mousavi & Sudipta Sarangi, 2005. "A Classroom Exercise: Voting by Ballots and Feet," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 72(1), pages 253-263, July.
    3. Geoffrey K. Turnbull & Michael T. Tasto, 2008. "Independent Cities and Counties in Virginia: Substitute Jurisdictions?," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 45(1), pages 53-66, January.
    4. Rebecca J. Campbell & Geoffrey K. Turnbull, 2003. "On Government Structure and Spending: The Effects of Management Form and Separation of Powers," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 40(1), pages 23-34, January.
    5. Geoffrey K. Turnbull, 2007. "Government Form and Performance: Fiscal Illusion and Administrative Ability in U.S. Counties," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 73(3), pages 754-769, January.

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