Abstract
This paper develops a theory of wedge issue politics in modern democracies. It argues that wedge issues are associated with a politics of intransigence which differs from the politics of concessions that typically comes with non-wedge issues. This theory explains why Prime Minister Theresa May opted for a divisive approach to secure ratification of her Brexit agreement in the House of Commons. Due to the intra-partisan division within the Conservative Party, the government had an incentive to employ politics of intransigence. Playing a chicken game with recalcitrant party members, it relied on bargaining strategies to force party rebels to back down.' This politics of intransigence further deepened intra-partisan divisions and thus prompted both sides to harden their stance. This vicious circle not only brought the Conservative Party to a breaking point but eventually led to government failure.
Item Type: | Journal article |
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Faculties: | Social Sciences > Geschwister-Scholl-Institute for Political Science |
Subjects: | 300 Social sciences > 320 Political science |
ISSN: | 1350-1763 |
Language: | English |
Item ID: | 82110 |
Date Deposited: | 15. Dec 2021, 15:00 |
Last Modified: | 15. Dec 2021, 15:00 |