Which of the following is an implication of the median-voter model?

• A. All voters have equal influence on the outcome of an election.
• B. Extreme policy positions are more likely to win majority support.
• C. The model predicts that minority preferences will dominate policy outcomes.
• D. Political candidates tend to adopt policies close to the preferences of the median voter.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the median-voter model: It is a theory in political economics that suggests in a majority-rule voting system, the outcome of an election will reflect the preferences of the median voter, who is the voter whose preferences are in the middle of the political spectrum.
2. Recognize that the model assumes voters have single-peaked preferences and that candidates want to maximize votes by appealing to the median voter.
3. Analyze the implications: Since candidates aim to capture the majority, they tend to adopt policy positions close to the median voter's preferences to secure the largest possible number of votes.
4. Evaluate the incorrect options: The model does not imply all voters have equal influence (influence is concentrated around the median), nor does it suggest extreme positions win majority support or that minority preferences dominate.
5. Conclude that the key implication of the median-voter model is that political candidates tend to adopt policies close to the preferences of the median voter.