Parties, districts and the spatial theory of elections

D. Austen-Smith*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The canonic Downsian model of spatial electoral competition involves two independent candidates competing for a single district. Most western democratic systems, however, are multi-district polities. The national electorate is partitioned into several geographically distinct constituencies, each of which periodically electing at least one representative to a legislature. Final policy outcomes then depend on the decisions of the de facto winning candidates comprising the legislature. This paper examines the robustness of the Downsian framework to introducing this institutional variation within a single-member district, simple plurality system.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)9-23
Number of pages15
JournalSocial Choice and Welfare
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1987

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Economics and Econometrics

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