Skip to main content
Log in

Electoral equilibria with entry: Some simulations

  • Published:
Public Choice Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to investigate by means of simulation the impact of third-party entry on the spatial separation of candidates. Specifically, we do real-time simulations of Palfrey's (1984) model of electoral equilibria with entry after relaxing some of its assumptions. Our finding that the threat of third-party entry can induce virtually the same spatial separation of the major-party candidates as entry with certainty is both a strong and interesting result.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baker, L. (1991). More c tools for scientists and engineers. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox, G.W. (1987). Electoral equilibrium under alternative voting institutions. American Journal of Political Science 31: 82–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Downs, A. (1957). An economic theory of democracy. New York: Harper and Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eaton, B.C. and Lipsey, R.G. (1975). The principle of minimum differentiation reconsidered: Some new developments in the theory of spatial competition. Review of Economic Studies 42: 27–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fedderson, T.J., Sened, I. and Wright, S.G. (1990). Rational voting and candidate entry under plurality rule. American Journal of Political Science 34: 1005–1016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fudenberg, D. and Tirole, J. (1992). Game theory. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, J. and Shepsle, K. (1987). The effects of electoral rewards in multiparty competition with entry. American Political Science Review 81: 525–537.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hotelling, H. (1929). Stability in competition. Economic Journal 39: 41–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKelvey, R.D. (1986). Covering, dominance, and institution-free properties of social choice. American Journal of Political Science 30: 283–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueller, D.C. (1989). Public choice II. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palfrey, T.R. (1984). Spatial equilibrium with entry. Review of Economic Studies 51: 139–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peltzman, S. (1984). Constituent interest and congressional voting. Journal of Law and Economics 27: 181–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prescott, E.C. and Visscher, M. (1977). Sequential location among firms with foresight. Bell Journal of Economics 8: 378–393.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press, W.H., Flannery, B.P., Teukolsky, S.A. and Vetterling, W.T. (1991). Numerical recipes. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Romer, T. and Rosenthal, H. (1984). Voting models and empirical evidence. American Scientist 72: 465–473.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, S. (1984). A first course in probability, second edition. New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepsle, K.A. and Cohen, R.N. (1990). Multiparty competition, entry, and entry deterrence in spatial models of elections. In J.M. Enelow and M.J. Hinich (Eds.), Advances in the theory of spatial voting. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bender, B., Haas, T.C. Electoral equilibria with entry: Some simulations. Public Choice 87, 303–314 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118650

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118650

Keywords

Navigation