James M. Enelow's Books

The Spatial Theory of Voting

An Introduction

By: James M. Enelow,Melvin J. Hinich

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The Spatial Theory of Voting

An Introduction

By: James M. Enelow,Melvin J. Hinich

This book provides an introduction to an important approach to the study of voting and elections: the spatial theory of voting. In contrast to the social-psychological approach to studying voting behaviour, the spatial theory of voting is premised on the idea of self-interested choice. Voters cast votes on the basis of their evaluation of the candidates or policy alternatives competing for their vote. Candidates fashion their appeals to the voters in an effort to win votes. The spatial theory provides explicit definitions for these behavioural assumptions to determines the form that self-interested behaviour will take. The consequences of this behaviour for the type of candidate or policy that voters will select is the major focus of the theory. There is a twofold purpose to this work. The first is to provide an elementary but rigourous introduction to an important body of political science research. The second is to design and test a spatial theory of elections that provides insights into the nature of election contests. The book will appeal to a wide audience, since the mathematics is kept to an accessible level.

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Page Count

260

Publisher

CUP Archive

Published Date

ISBN 10

0521275156

ISBN 13

9780521275156

A Unified Theory of Party Competition

A Cross-National Analysis Integrating Spatial and Behavioral Factors

By: James F. Adams,Samuel Merrill III,Bernard Grofman

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A Unified Theory of Party Competition

A Cross-National Analysis Integrating Spatial and Behavioral Factors

By: James F. Adams,Samuel Merrill III,Bernard Grofman

This book integrates spatial and behavioral perspectives - in a word, those of the Rochester and Michigan schools - into a unified theory of voter choice and party strategy. The theory encompasses both policy and non-policy factors, effects of turnout, voter discounting of party promises, expectations of coalition governments, and party motivations based on policy as well as office. Optimal (Nash equilibrium) strategies are determined for alternative models for presidential elections in the US and France, and for parliamentary elections in Britain and Norway. These polities cover a wide range of electoral rules, number of major parties, and governmental structures. The analyses suggest that the more competitive parties generally take policy positions that come close to maximizing their electoral support, and that these vote-maximizing positions correlate strongly with the mean policy positions of their supporters.

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Page Count

344

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

113944400X

ISBN 13

9781139444002

Experimental Thinking

A Primer on Social Science Experiments

By: James N. Druckman

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Experimental Thinking

A Primer on Social Science Experiments

By: James N. Druckman

Experiments are a central methodology in the social sciences. Scholars from every discipline regularly turn to experiments. Practitioners rely on experimental evidence in evaluating social programs, policies, and institutions. This book is about how to “think” about experiments. It argues that designing a good experiment is a slow moving process (given the host of considerations) which is counter to the current fast moving temptations available in the social sciences. The book includes discussion of the place of experiments in the social science process, the assumptions underlying different types of experiments, the validity of experiments, the application of different designs, how to arrive at experimental questions, the role of replications in experimental research, and the steps involved in designing and conducting “good” experiments. The goal is to ensure social science research remains driven by important substantive questions and fully exploits the potential of experiments in a thoughtful manner.

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Page Count

229

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1108997988

ISBN 13

9781108997980

Who Governs?

Presidents, Public Opinion, and Manipulation

By: James N. Druckman,Lawrence R. Jacobs

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Who Governs?

Presidents, Public Opinion, and Manipulation

By: James N. Druckman,Lawrence R. Jacobs

America’s model of representational government rests on the premise that elected officials respond to the opinions of citizens. This is a myth, however, not a reality, according to James N. Druckman and Lawrence R. Jacobs. In Who Governs?, Druckman and Jacobs combine existing research with novel data from US presidential archives to show that presidents make policy by largely ignoring the views of most citizens in favor of affluent and well-connected political insiders. Presidents treat the public as pliable, priming it to focus on personality traits and often ignoring it on policies that fail to become salient. Melding big debates about democratic theory with existing research on American politics and innovative use of the archives of three modern presidents—Johnson, Nixon, and Reagan—Druckman and Jacobs deploy lively and insightful analysis to show that the conventional model of representative democracy bears little resemblance to the actual practice of American politics. The authors conclude by arguing that polyarchy and the promotion of accelerated citizen mobilization and elite competition can improve democratic responsiveness. An incisive study of American politics and the flaws of representative government, this book will be warmly welcomed by readers interested in US politics, public opinion, democratic theory, and the fecklessness of American leadership and decision-making.

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Page Count

205

Publisher

University of Chicago Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

022623455X

ISBN 13

9780226234557

Book's by James M. Enelow

The Spatial Theory of Voting

The Spatial Theory of Voting

A Unified Theory of Party Competition

A Unified Theory of Party Competition

Experimental Thinking

Experimental Thinking

Who Governs?

Who Governs?

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