Abstract
A model of public good provision by majority rule selection incorporating the behavior of rational group voting is formulated. Two probability maximizing candidates are assumed. If voters are risk averse in public sector preferences, then a unique symmetric (both candidates offering identical platforms) equilibrium exists. If certain additional conditions hold on the group cost functions of political support, this equilibrium will lie at the public good levels which maximizes the sum of voter utility. It is further demonstrated that it is unlikely for those conditions to be satisfied and therefore more realistic asymmetric equilibria with positive voter turnout is predicted.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 117-131 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Social Choice and Welfare |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1987 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
- Economics and Econometrics