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Measuring electoral competitiveness: A Probability ratio index

Author

Listed:
  • Satya R. Chakravarty

    (Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata)

  • Manipushpak Mitra

    (Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata)

  • Suresh Mutuswami

    (University of Leicester)

  • Rupayan Pal

    (Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research)

Abstract

We propose an index of electoral competition based on the vote shares of parties competing in the election. This index is the ratio between the probabilities that the two voters drawn at random with (without) replacement have voted for different parties under actual vote shares across the competing parties and under equal vote shares across them. The measure is characterized using two simple axioms, consistency in aggregation and competitive indifference. The former expresses the index as a weighted sum of competitiveness in two party elections. The latter is concerned with redistribution of vote shares across parties.

Suggested Citation

  • Satya R. Chakravarty & Manipushpak Mitra & Suresh Mutuswami & Rupayan Pal, 2019. "Measuring electoral competitiveness: A Probability ratio index," Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai Working Papers 2019-014, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai, India.
    • Handle: RePEc:ind:igiwpp:2019-014
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    electoral competition; probability ratio index; electoral concentration; political heterogeneity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State

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