Shocks to issue salience and electoral competition

Abstract We propose a two party electoral competition model to analyze the effects of an exogenous shock over relative issue salience on strategic policy choices parties. find that both parties strategically shift their from ideal points towards point median voter newly salient issue. The polarization distribution voters preferences produces disadvantage for one parties, which is forced implement large shift. argue may break internal balance among its different factions, in turn produce important disruptions system. illustrate our arguments with analysis recent events Catalonia and UK.