Policy Reversal

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2010
Volume: 100
Issue: 3
Pages: 1261-68

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We analyze the existence of policy reversal, the phenomenon sometimes observed that a certain policy (say extreme left-wing) is implemented by the "unlikely" (right-wing) party. We formulate a Downsian signaling model where the incumbent government, through its choice of policy, reveals information both regarding own preferences and external circumstances that may call for a particular policy. We show that policy reversal may indeed exist as an equilibrium phenomenon. This is partly because the incumbent party has superior opportunities to reveal information, and partly because its reputation protects a left-wing incumbent when advertising a right-wing policy.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:100:y:2010:i:3:p:1261-68
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-26