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arXiv · 2308.05912

Ideological Ambiguity and Political Spectrum

Hector Galindo-Silva
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Abstract

This study examines the relationship between ambiguity and the ideological positioning of political parties across the political spectrum. We identify a strong non-monotonic (inverted U-shaped) relationship between party ideology and ambiguity within a sample of 202 European political parties. This pattern is observed across all ideological dimensions covered in the data. To explain this pattern, we propose a novel theory that suggests centrist parties are perceived as less risky by voters compared to extremist parties, giving them an advantage in employing ambiguity to attract more voters at a lower cost. We support our explanation with additional evidence from electoral outcomes and economic indicators in the respective party countries.

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Hector Galindo-Silva. 2023-08-11. Ideological Ambiguity and Political Spectrum. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10101-024-00310-2

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