Skip to main content
Log in

Multi-candidate equilibria

  • Published:
Public Choice Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We demonstrate the existence of an electoral equilibrium in a model with three or more candidates. We use the same kinds of assumptions that have previously been used to establish existence in two-candidate models and have not had to make special assumptions regarding dimensionality (e.g., that there is only one dimension) or distribution of voter preferences (e.g., symmetry).

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

  • Aranson, P., Hinich, M., and Ordeshook, P. (1974). Equivalent and non-equivalent objectives for candidates. American Political Science Review 68: 135–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arrow, K. (1951). Social choice and individual values. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aubin, J.-P. (1979). Mathematical methods of game and economic theory. New York: North-Holland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Austen-Smith, D. (1981). Party policy and campaign costs in a multi-constituency model of electoral competition. Public Choice 37: 389–402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coughlin, P., and Nitzan, S. (1981). Directional and local electoral competitions with probabilistic voting. Journal of Economic Theory 24: 226–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denzau, A., and Kats, A. (1977). Expected plurality voting equilibrium and social choice functions. Review of Economic Studies 44: 227–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grofman, B. (1979). Abstentions in two candidate and three candidate elections when voters use mixed strategies. Public Choice 34: 198–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinich, M. (1977). Equilibrium in spatial voting. Journal of Economic Theory 16: 208–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinich, M., Ledyard, J., and Ordeshook, P. (1972). Non-voting and the existence of equilibrium under majority rule. Journal of Economic Theory 4: 144–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinich, M.J., and Ordeshook, P. (1969). Abstentions and equilibrium in the electoral process. Public Choice 71: 81–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinich, M.J., and Ordeshook, P. (1971). Social welfare and electoral competition in democratic societies Public Choice 11: 73–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinich, M.J., and Ordeshook, P. (1970). Plurality maximization vs vote maximization: a spatial analysis with variable participation. American Political Science Review 61: 722–791.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash, J. (1951). Non-cooperative games. Annals of Mathematics 54: 286–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nitzan, S. (1975). Social preference ordering in a probabilistic voting model. Public Choice 24: 93–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slutsky, S. (1977). Abstentions and majority rule equilibrium. Journal of Economic Theory 11: 292–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wittman, D. (1983). Candidate motivation: A synthesis. American Political Science Review 77: 142–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wittman, D. Multi-candidate equilibria. Public Choice 43, 287–291 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118937

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118937

Keywords

Navigation