SimulationResults

The best way to understand the StrategicVotingModel and some of its conclusions is by plugging in example distributions F(C).

• Excel SpreadSheet for this model : http://www.nooranch.com/synaesmedia/optimaes/spreadsheets/strategic_voting.xls

(VotingModelRecap)

Agents’ cost values are identically and independently distributed with distribution function F(c). The probability that any randomly selected agent i will contribute in equilibrium is then:

Prob (ci =< c’*) = F(c’*)

So the probability that exactly n^-1 out of N-1 agents will contribute is a binomial probability with sample size N-1 and parameter F(c’*).

p (F, c’) = Wn^-1 (N-1, F(c’))

(I don't know how to write the binomial formula out in wiki.)

So the equilibrium condition is:

c’ = p (F, c’)

c’ = Wn^-1 (N-1, F(c’))

For F (c) use eg. a normal distribution.

To look at equilibria, then, set up chart with cost on x axis and probability on y axis. Graph the function p (c') and a 45 degree line where p = c. Equilibria occur where the two lines meet.