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Representing a democratic constituency in negotiations: delegation versus ratification

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  • Daniel Cardona
  • Clara Ponsatí

Abstract

We consider negotiations where one of the parties is a group that must send a representative to the bargaining table. We examine the trade-offs that the group faces in choosing between two different regimes for this representation: (i) Delegation where the representative is granted full authority to reach an agreement, and (ii) Ratification, where any agreement reached by the representative requires a posterior ratification vote. We show that when the group has flexibility—to select the delegate or to set the majority threshold for ratification—the majority of the group favors delegation. Only when the flexibility is limited or delegates are (sufficiently) unreliable will the majority of the group prefer ratification. Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Cardona & Clara Ponsatí, 2015. "Representing a democratic constituency in negotiations: delegation versus ratification," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 45(2), pages 399-414, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:sochwe:v:45:y:2015:i:2:p:399-414
    DOI: 10.1007/s00355-015-0895-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    C7; F5;

    JEL classification:

    • C7 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory
    • F5 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy

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