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Elephants, Donkeys, and Colonel Blotto

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  • Ivan P. Yamshchikov
  • Sharwin Rezagholi

Abstract

This paper employs a novel method for the empirical analysis of political discourse and develops a model that demonstrates dynamics comparable with the empirical data. Applying a set of binary text classifiers based on convolutional neural networks, we label statements in the political programs of the Democratic and the Republican Party in the United States. Extending the framework of the Colonel Blotto game by a stochastic activation structure, we show that, under a simple learning rule, the simulated game exhibits dynamics that resemble the empirical data.

Suggested Citation

  • Ivan P. Yamshchikov & Sharwin Rezagholi, 2018. "Elephants, Donkeys, and Colonel Blotto," Papers 1805.12083, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:1805.12083
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Myerson, Roger B., 1993. "Incentives to Cultivate Favored Minorities Under Alternative Electoral Systems," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 87(4), pages 856-869, December.
    2. Dan Kovenock & Brian Roberson, 2021. "Generalizations of the General Lotto and Colonel Blotto games," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 71(3), pages 997-1032, April.
    3. Brian Roberson, 2006. "The Colonel Blotto game," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 29(1), pages 1-24, September.
    4. Osorio, Antonio, 2013. "The lottery Blotto game," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 120(2), pages 164-166.
    5. Roberson, Brian, 2006. "Pork-barrel politics, discriminatory policies and fiscal federalism [Kuhhandel in der Lokalpolitik und der fiskalische Föderalismus]," Discussion Papers, Research Unit: Market Processes and Governance SP II 2006-15, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
    6. Laslier, Jean-Francois & Picard, Nathalie, 2002. "Distributive Politics and Electoral Competition," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 103(1), pages 106-130, March.
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