Term Limits as a Response to Incumbency Advantage
Posted: 6 Sep 2007
There are 2 versions of this paper
Term Limits as a Response to Incumbency Advantage
Abstract
In the paper we construct a spatial model that specifies voter utility in terms of responsiveness to public policy and provide an explanation of the seeming paradox that voters who vote for the incumbent also unilaterally self-impose term limits. Our model shows that when the position of the incumbent is closer to the median voter position, it is less likely that voters will support term limits. But if the incumbent's party is more moderate, it is more likely that voters will support term limits. In addition, we argue that term limits or the threat of it will increase the responsiveness of the politicians' policy platforms.
Keywords: term limits, incumbency advantage, spatial model of voting, risk aversion
JEL Classification: D72, D78, D82
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation