6533b823fe1ef96bd127ea4f
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Split-ticket voting in German Federal elections, 1953–90: an example of sophisticated balloting?
Harald Schoensubject
Disapproval votingmedia_common.quotation_subjectFederal republicRationalityPublic administrationCardinal voting systemsSplit-ticket votingVotingPolitical Science and International RelationsEconomicsSingle-member districtFirst-past-the-post votingLaw and economicsmedia_commondescription
Abstract Though the German electoral system has provided the opportunity of split-ticket voting since 1953, until now there has only been mere speculation concerning the rationality of ticket-splitting. In this paper we examine the rationality thesis empirically, using data provided by the official representative electoral statistics of the Federal Republic. Modifying the Downsian notion of rational voting, rational ticket-splitting is defined in terms of coalition building and of voters' expectations of the electoral success of candidates and parties. Applying this conceptual framework, it will be shown that the combinations of first and second votes actually chosen by a majority of the German electorate can rather be conceived of as a product of accident than of tactical considerations.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-12-01 | Electoral Studies |