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An Examination into the Relevance of the Median Voter Model: Empirical Evidence Offers Support for the Model and Certain Uses

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  • Edward J. Mathis
  • Charles E. Zech

Abstract

. This study analyzes some criticisms of the empirical use of the median voter model. In an attempt to evaluate these criticisms, a local school expenditure model is constructed which incorporates various income measures and various measures of tax price. Results indicate that median income outperforms other income measures. This empirical evidence offers support for the median voter model and its use in empirical work. The median tax price measure proved not to be of statistical significance. It should not be used without independent validation. Moreover, it does not outperform other tax price measures, in this test, at least. Further research is needed to explain this seeming anomaly.

Suggested Citation

  • Edward J. Mathis & Charles E. Zech, 1986. "An Examination into the Relevance of the Median Voter Model: Empirical Evidence Offers Support for the Model and Certain Uses," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(4), pages 403-412, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ajecsc:v:45:y:1986:i:4:p:403-412
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1536-7150.1986.tb01932.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Romer, Thomas & Rosenthal, Howard, 1979. "The elusive median voter," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 12(2), pages 143-170, October.
    2. Jürgen Backhaus, 1978. "Constitutional guarantees and the distribution of power and wealth," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 33(3), pages 45-63, January.
    3. Klevorick, Alvin K. & Kramer, Gerald H., 1973. "Social choice on pollution management: the genossenschaften," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 2(2), pages 101-146, April.
    4. Anthony Downs, 1957. "An Economic Theory of Political Action in a Democracy," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 65, pages 135-135.
    5. Farber, Henry S, 1978. "Individual Preferences and Union Wage Determination: The Case of the United Mine Workers," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 86(5), pages 923-942, October.
    6. Comanor, William S., 1976. "The median voter rule and the theory of political choice," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 5(1-2), pages 169-177.
    7. Howard R. Bowen, 1943. "The Interpretation of Voting in the Allocation of Economic Resources," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 58(1), pages 27-48.
    8. Romer, Thomas, 1975. "Individual welfare, majority voting, and the properties of a linear income tax," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 4(2), pages 163-185, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Evan Osborne, 1998. "A theory of gridlock: Strategic behavior in legislative deliberations," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 26(3), pages 238-251, September.
    2. Rhee, Se-Koo, 1996. "The impact of intergovernmental grants-in-aid on public school expenditure under the segregated school system," ISU General Staff Papers 1996010108000012396, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    3. David Brasington & Don Haurin, 2005. "The Demand for Educational Quality: Comparing Estimates from a Median Voter Model with those from an Almost Ideal Demand System," Departmental Working Papers 2005-16, Department of Economics, Louisiana State University.
    4. Ronald John Shadbegian & Attiat F. Ott, 2001. "Do Children Create an Externality in the Provision of Public Education?," Public Finance Review, , vol. 29(3), pages 233-253, May.

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