Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/130791 
Year of Publication: 
2015
Series/Report no.: 
Working Paper No. 777
Publisher: 
Queen Mary University of London, School of Economics and Finance, London
Abstract: 
We propose a theory-based experimental approach to compare the properties of approval voting (AV) with those of plurality. This comparison is motivated by the theoretical predictions that, in our aggregate uncertainty setup, AV should produce close to first-best outcomes, while plurality will not. The experiment shows, first, that welfare gains are substantial. Second, both aggregate and individual responses are in line with theoretical predictions, and thus with strategic voting. Finally, subjects' behavior under AV highlights the need to study equilibria in asymmetric strategies.
Subjects: 
Multicandidate elections
Information aggregation
Plurality
Approval Voting
Laboratory experiments
JEL: 
C72
C92
D70
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
486.22 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.