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Are Voters Rationally Ignorant? An Empirical Study for Portuguese Local Elections

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  • José da Silva Costa
  • Ester Gomes Silva

Abstract

The application of the rational choice postulate to a political context invariably leads to the conclusion that most voters are ill informed when making the decision for whom to vote. In this paper, the authors do an empirical evaluation of the rational ignorance theory, based on the results of the 1997 Portuguese Local Elections. The results only partially sustain the hypothesis of rational ignorance, although it is also possible to identify several limitations that prevent the establishment of definite conclusions in this specific field.JEL Classification: H7 Key words: VoterÂ’s Behaviour; Local Elections; Local Governments; Portugal.

Suggested Citation

  • José da Silva Costa & Ester Gomes Silva, 2004. "Are Voters Rationally Ignorant? An Empirical Study for Portuguese Local Elections," ERSA conference papers ersa04p52, European Regional Science Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa04p52
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    voterâ’s behaviour; local elections; local governments; portugal.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H7 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations

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