Political parties, games and redistribution - Mulé, Rosa (Cambridge University Press, 2001)
Includes bibliographical references (pages 213-243) and index
List of figures -- List of tables -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1. Political parties, games and income distribution -- 2. Opposition effects, blackmail and u-turns under Pierre Elliot Trudeau -- 3. The arithmetics of politics under Margaret Thatcher -- 4. Right-wing ascendency, pivitol players and asymmetric power under Bob Hawke -- 5. The demise of the federal social safety net under Clinton -- 6. Conclusions -- Technical addendum -- Bibliography -- Index
"This book explores the impact of political parties on income redistribution policy in liberal democracies. Rosa Mule illustrates how public policy on inequality is influenced by strategic interactions among party leaders, rather than responses to social constituencies. Using game theory in detailed case studies of intraparty conflicts, Mule evaluates her findings against a broad range of theories - political business cycle, median convergence, 'shrinking middle class' and demographic movements. She analyses trends in income inequality in selected OECD countries since the 1970s and provides in-depth examinations of Canada, Australia, Britain and the United States. Her methodology effectively blends sophisticated quantitative techniques with qualitative, analytic narratives. In evaluating both the impact of intraparty cohesion and ideology on redistributive policy, and trends in income inequality, this book brings a unique perspective to those interested in the study of public policy and political parties."--Jacket
Keywords: Revenu / Répartition / Pays de l'Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques / Cas, Études de; Partis politiques / Pays de l'Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques / Cas, Études de; POLITICAL SCIENCE / Economic Conditions; BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Economics / Macroeconomics; Income distribution; Political parties; Revenu / Répartition / Pays de l'OCDE.; Partis politiques / Programmes; Verteilungspolitik; Parteipolitik; Ökonomische Theorie der Politik; Partei; Spieltheorie; Wirtschaft; Industriestaaten