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Voting when the stakes are high

Author

Listed:
  • Gisle James Natvik

    (Norges Bank (Central Bank of Norway))

  • Jørgen Juel Andersen

    (Norwegian School of Management)

  • Jon H. Fiva

    (University of Oslo)

Abstract

Rational choice theories of electoral participation stress that an individual's decision to vote depends on her expected net benefit from doing so. If this instrumental motive is relevant, then turnout should be higher in elections where more is at stake. We test this prediction, by studying how turnout is affected by exogenous variation in governments' financial exibility to provide pork for their voters. By utilizing simultaneous elections for different offices, we identify a positive effect of election stakes on turnout.

Suggested Citation

  • Gisle James Natvik & Jørgen Juel Andersen & Jon H. Fiva, 2010. "Voting when the stakes are high," Working Paper 2010/15, Norges Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:bno:worpap:2010_15
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Voter Motivation; Elections; Turnout;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue

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