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Strategic Ambiguity with Probabilistic Voting

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  • Yasushi Asako

    (Faculty of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University)

Abstract

Political parties and candidates usually prefer making ambiguous promises. This study identiÖes the conditions under which candidates choose ambiguous promises in equilibrium, given convex utility functions of voters. The results show that in a deterministic model, no equilibrium exists when voters have convex utility functions. However, in a probabilistic voting model, candidates make ambiguous promises in equilibrium when, (i) voters have convex utility functions, and (ii) the distribution of votersímost preferred policies is polarized.

Suggested Citation

  • Yasushi Asako, 2019. "Strategic Ambiguity with Probabilistic Voting," Working Papers 1906, Waseda University, Faculty of Political Science and Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wap:wpaper:1906
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    elections; political ambiguity; public promise; campaign platform; probabilistic voting; polarization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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