A Spatial Theory of Ideology

Abstract

In the spatial model of politics voters choose the candidates closest to them in weighted Euclidean distance, and candidates seek to compete by positioning and repositioning themselves in and n-dimensional policy space. This model has recently come under attack from a number of scholars who assert its depiction of politics is unrealistic. Still these critiques retain the character of the original model. We offer a more radical alternative: an explicitly neo-Downsian spatial model of ideology specifying the linkage between ideological messages and policy positions. After indicating the importance of ideology as a theory, a formula depiction is offered and an illustrative empirical application is provided.

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