Question

Should Americans be able to sell their votes in, say, a presidential election? Show how this might be efficient. What are some arguments against the policy, and how might a law and economics approach respond to these counter-arguments? Does calling the right to vote a "property right" change the analysis at all?

Please explain in detail. I will post questions separetely if I have to please let me know.

Answer 1

Vote-purchasing ( as an arrangement of redistribution) may be a replacement for public good provision. If vote-purchasing is the chief channel of accountability, & it is effectual in steering votes, governmental deeds may omit public goods, be stained with corruption, & prefer the political elite. Instead, it is found that vote-purchasing comprehended as cash-for-votes is expected to advantage the opponent & raise political participation. Considered in isolation, these outcomes may be observed as positive. Certainly , the incumbency benefit can be countered, & increased electoral participation isn’t expected to hurt democracy. But, enhanced electoral competition can only aid development if there is actual policy accountability, & it is improbable that vote-purchasing facilitates policy accountability.