Bounded Rationality and Voting Decisions over 160 Years : Voter Behavior and Increasing Complexity in Decision-Making

Title data

Stadelmann, David ; Torgler, Benno:
Bounded Rationality and Voting Decisions over 160 Years : Voter Behavior and Increasing Complexity in Decision-Making.
In: PLoS One. Vol. 8 (2013) Issue 12 . - No. e84078.
ISSN 1932-6203
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0084078

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Abstract in another language

Using a quasi-natural voting experiment encompassing a 160-year period in Switzerland, we investigate whether a higher level of complexity leads to increased reliance on trusted parliamentary representatives. We find that when more referenda are held on the same day, constituents are more likely to refer to parliamentary recommendations when making their decisions. This finding holds true even when we narrow our focus to referenda with a relatively lower voter turnout on days on which more than one referendum is held. We also demonstrate that when constituents face a higher level of complexity, they follow the parliamentary recommendations rather than those of interest groups.