Re:Reddit co-founder on NSA snooping [video]
by dragonwriter on Friday June 14, 2013 @06:36PM
(#5882910)
> Arrow's theorem says there is no voting system that's "perfect".
No it doesn't, its says that there is no system limited to rank-order inputs and outputs that meets certain criteria.
There are plenty of actual and potential voting systems that aren't within its scope, and it is also debatable whether the criteria it applies are the correct ones for a "perfect" voting system.
Re:Reddit co-founder on NSA snooping [video]
by dllthomas on Friday June 14, 2013 @08:34PM
(#5883335)
Fair point.
Your comment would benefit from elaboration. Are there any of the criteria you think are strong candidates for dismissal as elements of a hypothetical "perfect voting system"?
Re:Reddit co-founder on NSA snooping [video]
by dragonwriter on Friday June 14, 2013 @09:35PM
(#5883479)
Universality particularly seems to be unnecessary for electoral systems, and I'm unconvinced that IIA is an appropriate criteria though it has some intuitive appeal.
Re:Reddit co-founder on NSA snooping [video]
by dllthomas on Saturday June 15, 2013 @02:47PM
(#5885910)
Hm, I think that narrowly IIA is important - changes low down the list shouldn't effect what's high up in the list, or people will be discouraged from voicing their true opinion about the options they perceive as less popular. In the full sense, which includes changes at the top affecting things lower, it may not be necessary.
I don't think I'm currently grokking universality with the depth I need to assess it. I remember it seeming reasonable when I did dig deep in all this, ages back.
This is vague enough as to be meaningless. In what precise ways is using range voting (and otherwise leaving things the same) worse than our current system?
"My point is that each system has both pros and cons. You cannot create a perfect electoral system. No matter what rules you make, some smart guy is going to figure out a while to exploit those rules to their advantage."
Sure, of course; Arrow's theorem says there is no voting system that's "perfect". Therefore, calling a system "broken" can't mean simply "not perfect" or it's meaningless. However, I think it's fair to call a voting system "broken" when there is an alternative that's better along some axes while worse along none.