Essay (40 points) An Economic Theory of Democracy and the 20…

Essay (40 points) An Economic Theory of Democracy and the 2024 Elections Anthony Downs attempts to characterize the behavior of political parties in terms of the economic marketplace.  Do you think that his Economic Theory of Democracy is a useful tool for thinking about the role of political parties and candidates in the 2024 elections?  According to Downs, what is the goal of political parties and candidates and how does this affect the decisions they make?  How do political parties and candidates position themselves to maximize votes?  What is the expected party differential and how does this influence one’s motivation to vote?  Does Downs’ theory accurately explain the electoral dynamics of the 2024 elections?