Work

On status quo bias and the existence of Condorcet cycles in binary voting situations

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: In most real-life binary voting situations, multiple challenger alternatives can potentially contest the status quo alternative, but only one of them can be listed on the ballot. Consequently, Condorcet cycles cannot be detected by analyzing voting data alone, even when they exist. This paper considers a standard theoretical framework where Condorcet cycles cannot exist, but demonstrates that this need not be the case when voters experience status quo bias. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of Condorcet cycles are provided. Monte Carlo simulations predict the probability that Condorcet cycles exist in binary voting situations with status quo bias to roughly one percent under different assumptions and scenarios.

Source: Journal of Theoretical Politics

DOI: 10.1177/09516298241287226

Author: Tommy Andersson

Institution: Lund University

Language: English

Topic: Game Theory and Voting Systems

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450

Funder: Jan Wallanders och Tom Hedelius Stiftelse samt Tore Browaldhs Stiftelse