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Constituency size and stability of two-party systems

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  • Arturas Rozenas

    (Department of Political Science, Duke University, Durham, USA, ar71@duke.edu)

Abstract

This paper investigates how constituency size affects spatial competition in a two-party system with a new entrant. When the electorate is small, two-party systems are stable only if the following conditions hold: the candidates are neither too certain nor too uncertain about voters’ preferences; competition is sufficiently costly; and the candidates have binding policy commitments. Moreover, whenever equilibrium exists in small constituencies, the two parties are considerably polarized. In contrast, when the electorate is large, two-party equilibrium obtains under a much wider set of conditions and exhibits low polarization. The Downsian prediction of two-party convergence and the Duvergerian prediction of plurality rule leading to a two-party system are more robust in larger electorates.

Suggested Citation

  • Arturas Rozenas, 2011. "Constituency size and stability of two-party systems," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 23(3), pages 344-358, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jothpo:v:23:y:2011:i:3:p:344-358
    DOI: 10.1177/0951629811411752
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    References listed on IDEAS

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