How and why party position estimates from manifestos, expert, and party elite surveys diverge
- Author(s)
- Ecker Alejandro, Marcelo Jenny, Wolfgang C. Müller, Katrin Praprotnik
- Abstract
This paper examines the validity of three approaches to estimate party positions on the general left– right and EU dimensions. We newly introduce party elite data from the comprehensive IntUne survey and cross-validate it with existing expert survey and manifesto data. The general left– right estimates generated by elites and experts show a higher congruence than those derived from party manifestos; neither measure clearly materializes as more valid regarding EU positions. We identify which factors explain diverging estimates. For instance, disagreement among experts has greater impact than their mere number. The substantial centrist bias of the manifesto estimates persists even when alternative documents are used. Low response rates among elites have no systematic detrimental effect on the validity of party position estimates.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Government
- External organisation(s)
- University for Continuing Education Krems, Universität Mannheim, Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck
- Journal
- Party Politics
- Volume
- 28
- Pages
- 528-540
- No. of pages
- 13
- ISSN
- 1354-0688
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1354068821990298
- Publication date
- 02-2021
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 506014 Comparative politics
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Political Science and International Relations, Sociology and Political Science
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/cc40c20c-18e2-41a1-b3d3-a724139ab0cd