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Additive valence and the single-crossing property

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  • Fabian Gouret

    (CY - CY Cergy Paris Université)

Abstract

To enhance the realism of the spatial model of voting, several authors have added a valence parameter into a Downsian utility function. However, when doing so, they rarely discuss the value that the exponent on the distance between voters and candidates should take. For some values of the exponent and the valence-advantage of one candidate over another one, the single-crossing property may not be satisfied. This paper underscores the importance of this consideration by providing first a necessary and sufficient condition under which this property is not satisfied. I then discuss the identification of the key parameters in two econometric frameworks to realize various hypothesis tests related to the single-crossing property. I use data from pre-election surveys of the American National Election Studies. I mainly focus on the 2008 Presidential election, and find some evidence against the single-crossing hypothesis. I also discuss the results of more recent US Presidential elections.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabian Gouret, 2025. "Additive valence and the single-crossing property," Working Papers hal-05016372, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-05016372
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05016372v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Guillaume Hollard & Stéphane Rossignol, 2008. "An Alternative Approach to Valence Advantage in Spatial Competition," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 10(3), pages 441-454, June.
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    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access

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