Question

True or False: The median-voter model explains why politicians so often stake out fringe positions that appeal only to a small segment of the electorate.

Short answer

The statement is true.

Step-by-step solution

Relevance of median voter model in elections 

The median voter model says that the median voter who does not have any strong preferences for any political party decides the outcome of the elections.

It is based on the assumption that with consistent voting preferences and majority rule decisions, the decisions of the extreme voters with stronger preferences can not be altered. However, they would prefer a median solution to an opposite extreme position. Thus, the choice of the median voter dominates the election result.

Reason for political parties appealing to a small segment of the electorate 

Political candidates know that they do not have to worry about the voters who already have a stronger preference for their party. At the same time, they can not affect other people who have a stronger preference for other political parties. Thus, the only option left is those who hold the middle position.

Political parties appeal to these median voters and try to shift their views towards themselves by holding positions on issues that favor these median voters, who form a small segment of the electorate.