11.04.2012

Median Voter Theorem: proof by data visualization

The "median voter theorem" is a game-theoretic solution to democratic politics. It basically says that in equilibrium for a two party system, both candidates will have platforms that reflect the values of the median voter (in this election, Ohio). The second prediction is that both parties get almost exactly 50% of the vote, with very small changes in voting behavior near the median voter determining who wins.

Co.Design points us to an excellent data visualization by Felix Gonda of 156 years of voting behavior in the US (for president, the Senate and the House of Representatives). Run the little scroll-bar for years and you'll see the power of the median voter [theorem].


Check it out.

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