National vs. Local: Why Party Disparity Hinders Legislative Moderation

This study explores electoral competition in multidistrict legislative elections where nominations are driven by party insiders motivated by local policy agendas.

🔍 Voter Concerns & Party Strategies

The paper examines voters' simultaneous interest in both national and local policies, contrasting with the approach of political parties that prioritize local interests.

📊 Asymmetry Amplifies Extremes

Researchers find that differing party positions at the national versus local levels significantly reduce competitive pressure for moderate candidates;

this phenomenon effectively removes incentives to nominate centrist contenders across multiple districts.

⚖️ Implications & Takeaways

The findings provide crucial insights into policy divergence, revealing how partisan asymmetry creates an environment where moderation becomes less likely;

the model offers a novel framework for understanding the role of gerrymandering in shaping legislative representation.