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| Ming Li and Dipjyoti Majumdar |
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| ''A Psychologically-Based Model of Voter Turnout'' |
| ( 2010, Vol. 12 No.5 ) |
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| We analyze a psychologically-based model of voter turnout. Potential voters experience regret if they fail to vote, which is the motivation for participation in voting. Regret from abstention is inversely related to the margin of victory. Voters on the winner''s side experience less regret than those on the loser''s side. We show that the unique equilibrium involves positive voter turnout. We show that the losing side has higher turnout. In addition, voter turnout is positively related to importance of the election and the competitiveness of the election. We also consider scenarios in which voters are uncertain about the composition of the electorate''s political preferences and show similar phenomena emerge. |
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| Keywords: voter turnout, regret, economics and psychology |
JEL: D7 - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making: General
C7 - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory:General |
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| Manuscript Received : Jun 18 2008 | | Manuscript Accepted : Mar 07 2012 |
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