Why do Political Parties Obey the Election Results?

Abstract

If democracy has to exist, at least one rule must be observed: the rule that specifies who should be in office. Here, we wonder why the parties competing in elections obey the electoral results. Are they satisfied with the verdict of the democratic process because it’s their interest? Or are there any cultural patterns needed to support this compliance? We present basic facts about the survival of democracies and we argue that cultural explanations are highly unlikely. Instead, it appears as a sufficient explanation from rational choice to account for compliance with the election results. It also shows that, in democratic balance, the actions of governments are limited even if the officers have complete discretion to change the law.