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Electing a Parliament

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco De Sinopoli
  • Leo Ferraris
  • Giovanna Iannantuoni

Abstract

We present a model where a society elects a parliament by voting for candidates belonging to two parties. The electoral rule determines the seats distribution between the two parties. We analyze two electoral rules, multidistrict majority and single-district proportional. In this framework, the policy outcome is simply a function of the number of seats parties take in the election. We prove that in both systems there is a unique pure strategy perfect equilibrium outcome. Finally, we compare the outcomes in the two systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco De Sinopoli & Leo Ferraris & Giovanna Iannantuoni, 2008. "Electing a Parliament," Working Papers 150, University of Milano-Bicocca, Department of Economics, revised Dec 2008.
    • Handle: RePEc:mib:wpaper:150
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    5. Francesco De Sinopoli, 2000. "Sophisticated voting and equilibrium refinements under plurality rule," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 17(4), pages 655-672.
    6. Francesco Sinopoli & Giovanna Iannantuoni, 2007. "A spatial voting model where proportional rule leads to two-party equilibria," International Journal of Game Theory, Springer;Game Theory Society, vol. 35(2), pages 267-286, January.
    7. Persson, Torsten & Tabellini, Guido, 1999. "The size and scope of government:: Comparative politics with rational politicians," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 43(4-6), pages 699-735, April.
    8. Timothy Besley & Ian Preston, 2007. "Electoral Bias and Policy Choice: Theory and Evidence," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 122(4), pages 1473-1510.
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    12. MERTENS, Jean-François, 1989. "Stable equilibria - a reformulation. Part I. Definition and basic properties," LIDAM Reprints CORE 866, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Majority election; Proportional election; Perfect equilibria;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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