Institutional flexibility, political alternation, and middle-of-the-road policies

This paper presents a novel explanation for political alternation in democracies, rooted the benefit median voter of keeping policy from drifting too far to either extreme. Central this argument is idea that change gradual and gradualism depends on institutional flexibility/rigidity country. Built idea, we propose model dynamic elections show rigidities cause alternation. We also that, though prevent governments implementing extreme policies, they incentivize parties polarize as much can. However, more flexible institutions can foster moderation. Last, analyze resilience equilibrium policies players’ impatience discuss extensions our model, including office-motivated parties, cost alternation, every two terms, asymmetric policies.