Multiparty Democracy: Elections and Legislative Politics (Political Economy of Institutions and Decisions)

This book adapts a formal model of elections and legislative politics to study party politics in Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Britain, and the United States. The approach uses the idea of valence, that is, the party leader's non-policy electoral popularity, and employs survey data to model these elections. The analysis explains why small parties in Israel and Italy keep to the electoral periphery. In the Netherlands, Britain, and the US, the electoral model is extended to include the behavior of activists. In the case of Britain, it is shown that there will be contests between activists for the two main parties over who controls policy. For the recent 2005 election, it is argued that the losses of the Labour party were due to Blair's falling valence. For the US, the model gives an account of the rotation of the locations of the two major parties over the last century. This Book Adapts A Formal Model Of Elections And Legislative Politics To Study Party Politics In Israel, Italy, The Netherlands, Britain, And The United States. The Approach Uses The Idea Of Valence - That Is, The Party Leader's Non-policy Electoral Popularity - And Employs Survey Data To Model These Elections. The Analysis Explains Why Small Parties In Israel And Italy Keep To The Electoral Periphery. In The Netherlands, Britain, And The United States, The Electoral Model Is Extended To Include The Behavior Of Activists. In The Case Of Britain, It Is Shown That There Will Be Contests Between Activists For The Two Main Parties Over Who Controls Policy. Regarding The Recent 2005 Election, It Is Argued That The Losses Of The Labour Party Were Due To Blair's Falling Valence. For The United States, The Model Gives An Account Of The Rotation Of The Locations Of The Two Major Parties Over The Last Century.--jacket. Multiparty Democracy -- Elections And Democracy -- A Theory Of Political Competition -- Elections In Israel, 1988-1996 -- Elections In Italy, 1992-1996 -- Elections In The Netherlands, 1979-1981 -- Elections In Britain, 1979-2005 -- Political Realignments In The United States -- Concluding Remarks. Norman Schofield And Itai Sened. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 209-218) And Index. "This book adapts a formal model of elections and legislative politics to study party politics in Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Britain, and the United States. The approach uses the idea of valence - that is, the party leader's non-policy electoral popularity - and employs survey data to model these elections. The analysis explains why small parties in Israel and Italy keep to the electoral periphery. In the Netherlands, Britain, and the United States, the electoral model is extended to include the behavior of activists. In the case of Britain, it is shown that there will be contests between activists for the two main parties over who controls policy. Regarding the recent 2005 election, it is argued that the losses of the Labour Party were due to Blair's falling valence. For the United States, the model gives an account of the rotation of the locations of the two major parties over the last century."--Résumé de l'éditeur When Parliament first appeared as an innovative political institution, it was to solve a simple bargaining problem: Rich constituents would bargain with the King to determine how much they wished to pay for services granted them by the King, such as fighting wars and providing some assurances for the safety of their travel and property rights.