Abstract
When aggregating individual preferences through the majority rule in an n-dimensional spatial voting model, the 'worst-case' scenario is a social choice configuration where no political equilibrium exists unless a super-majority rate as high as 1 - 1/(n+1) is adopted. In this paper we assume that a lower d-dimensional (d < n) linear map spans the possible candidates' platforms. These d 'ideological' dimensions imply some linkages between the n political issues. We randomize over these linkages and show that there almost surely exists a 50%-majority equilibria in the above worst-case scenario, when n grows to infinity. Moreover, the equilibrium is the mean voter.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 431-444 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Journal of Theoretical Politics |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2010 |
Keywords
- ideology
- mean voter theorem
- spatial voting
- super majority
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Sociology and Political Science