Optimal use of scarce information: When partisan voters are socially useful

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Optimal use of scarce information: When partisan voters are socially useful

Author Info

Paolo Balduzzi () (Department of Economics, University of Milan-Bicocca)

Abstract

We develop a model of simultaneous and sequential voting in a committee where members do not share their private information and do not have the same preferences. When objective functions differ, an optimal order in the sequential game can be found, leading to a unique socially optimal equilibrium. Our result rationalizes the presence of biased (i.e., partisan) voters in small committees as a way of reaching social optimality.

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Paper provided by University of Milano-Bicocca, Department of Economics in its series Working Papers with number 87.

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Length: 35 pages
Date of creation: Mar 2005
Date of revision: Mar 2005
Handle: RePEc:mib:wpaper:87

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations
D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Models of Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information

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Other versions:
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Other versions:
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Other versions:
- Timothy Feddersen & Wolfgang Pesendorfer, 1994. "Voting Behavior and Information Aggregation in Elections with Private Information," Discussion Papers 1117, Northwestern University, Center for Mathematical Studies in Economics and Management Science. [Downloadable!]
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