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Delegation And Polarization Of Platforms

Author

Listed:
  • Ramón Faulí-Oller

    (Universidad de Alicante)

  • Ignacio Ortuño Ortín

    (Universidad de Alicante)

Abstract

We consider a model of political competition among two ideological parties who are uncertain about the distribution of voters. The distinguishing feature of the model is that parties can delegate electoral decisions to candidates by nomination. It is shown that if the credible platform commitments of the candidates is feasible, then at least one of the parties nominates in equilibrium to a candidate who has an ideology that is more radical than the delegating party's ideology. In a variety of circumstances, this, in turn, yields a polarization of equilibrium policy choices of the candidates. It is thus argued formally here that strategic nomination of the candidates may well be one of the major reasons behind the well documented observation that the platforms associated with the political parties in two-party democracies are often surprisingly polarized.

Suggested Citation

  • Ramón Faulí-Oller & Ignacio Ortuño Ortín, 2002. "Delegation And Polarization Of Platforms," Working Papers. Serie AD 2002-01, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Económicas, S.A. (Ivie).
  • Handle: RePEc:ivi:wpasad:2002-01
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    4. Wittman, Donald, 1977. "Candidates with policy preferences: A dynamic model," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 14(1), pages 180-189, February.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Political Parties; Delegation; Polarization.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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