Type
Text
Type
Dissertation
Advisor
Lebo, Matthew J. | Taber, Charles S. | Smirnov, Oleg | Meffert, Michael
Date
2012-12-01
Keywords
Political Science | Asymmetric Retrospective Voting, Economic Voting, Political Economy, Prospect Theory, Voting
Department
Department of Political Science
Language
en_US
Source
This work is sponsored by the Stony Brook University Graduate School in compliance with the requirements for completion of degree.
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/11401/71289
Publisher
The Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.
Format
application/pdf
Abstract
Prospect theory tells us that humans pay more attention to losses than to comparable gains. My dissertation seeks to apply this insight to the field of retrospective voting and in particular economic voting.
First, I develop a formal model of asymmetric retrospective voting which allows for incorporating loss aversion. Then, the empirical implications of this theoretical model are tested using a variety of methodological approaches. First, the model's predictions about human behavior are tested directly in a laboratory experiment using a simplified version of the asymmetric retrospective voting model. In a second step, the analytical focus is widened, turning from the individual to the aggregate level: Using monthly time-series data, the asymmetric retrospective voting model is tested using the reaction of aggregate vote intentions to changes in economic conditions and evaluations. In a final step, using the broadest lens, the implications of the model with respect to the "cost of ruling, i.e. the empirical phenomenon of declining vote shares for incumbent governments, are tested using a large cross-national sample of elections. | 134 pages
Recommended Citation
Kappe, Roland, "Asymmetric Retrospective Voting: A Theoretical Model and Empirical Evidence of Negativity Effects in Voters' Response to the Economy" (2012). Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions). 495.
https://commons.library.stonybrook.edu/stony-brook-theses-and-dissertations-collection/495