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Moderating Political Extremism: Single Round vs Runoff Elections under Plurality Rule

Author

Listed:
  • Massimo Bordignon

    (DISCE, Università Cattolica)

  • Guido Tabellini

    (Università Bocconi)

Abstract

We compare single ballot vs dual ballot elections under plurality rule, assuming sincere voting and allowing for partly endogenous party formation. Under the dual ballot, the number of parties is larger but the influence of extremists voters on equilibrium policy is smaller, because their bargaining power is reduced compared to a single ballot election. The predictions on the number of parties and on policy volatility are consistent with data on municipal elections in Italy, where cities with more (less) than 15,000 inhabitants have dual (single) ballots respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Massimo Bordignon & Guido Tabellini, 2009. "Moderating Political Extremism: Single Round vs Runoff Elections under Plurality Rule," DISCE - Quaderni dell'Istituto di Economia e Finanza ief0087, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimenti e Istituti di Scienze Economiche (DISCE).
    • Handle: RePEc:ctc:serie3:ief0087
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    political extremism;

    JEL classification:

    • H7 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations

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