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The disadvantage of winning an election

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  • Aragonès, Enriqueta
  • Sánchez-Pagés, Santiago

Abstract

This paper analyzes the problem that an incumbent faces during the legislature when deciding how to react to popular initiatives or policy proposals coming from different sources. We argue that this potential source of electoral disadvantage that the incumbent obtains after being elected can jeopardize the reelection possibilities of the incumbent. We analyze the decision of the incumbent when facing reelection and we characterize the conditions under which the advantages that the incumbent obtains can overcome the disadvantages. Finally, we use the results of this analysis to discuss some implications of the use of mechanisms of direct democracy like referenda and popular assemblies on electoral competition.

Suggested Citation

  • Aragonès, Enriqueta & Sánchez-Pagés, Santiago, 2010. "The disadvantage of winning an election," SIRE Discussion Papers 2010-21, Scottish Institute for Research in Economics (SIRE).
    • Handle: RePEc:edn:sirdps:153
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10943/153
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    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. The disadvantage of being incumbent
      by Economic Logician in Economic Logic on 2010-04-12 22:20:00

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    Cited by:

    1. Enriqueta Aragonès & Micael Castanheira & Marco Giani, 2015. "Electoral Competition through Issue Selection," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 59(1), pages 71-90, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Incumbency advantage; Referenda; Popular initiatives; Elections;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D7 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making
    • H1 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government

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