Chapter 18: Problem 24

What are some alternatives to a "first past the post" system that might reduce the problem of voting cycles?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Some alternatives to the "First Past the Post" system that might reduce the problem of voting cycles include Ranked Choice Voting (Instant Runoff), Approval Voting, Borda Count, and Condorcet Method. These alternatives consider voter preferences more comprehensively, selecting candidates with broader approval, or comparing candidates in head-to-head contests, thereby reducing the possibility of voting cycles and providing more representative election outcomes.

Step by step solution

Introduction to First Past the Post and Voting Cycles

The "First Past the Post" (FPTP) voting system is a simple plurality voting method, where the candidate with the most votes wins. However, FPTP can lead to voting cycles, also known as the Condorcet Paradox, where no candidate has a clear majority, causing a cyclical relationship among the preferences of voters.

Alternative 1: Ranked Choice Voting (Instant Runoff)

In Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) or Instant Runoff system, voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate has a majority after counting the first preference of all voters, the candidate with the least number of votes is eliminated. The votes for this eliminated candidate would then be redistributed to the voters' next preference. This process continues until a candidate receives a majority of the votes.

Alternative 2: Approval Voting

In Approval Voting, voters simultaneously select all candidates they approve of (with no ranking). The candidate with the highest total approval count wins. This method helps ensure that a broadly acceptable candidate is elected, even if they are not the voters' top choice, thereby reducing the chances of a voting cycle.

Alternative 3: Borda Count

The Borda Count is a ranked-voting system where each voter assigns points to candidates based on their ranking preference. The points assigned to each position depend on the number of candidates. For example, if there are 3 candidates, the top-ranked candidate gets 2 points, the second-ranked gets 1 point, and the last-ranked gets 0 points. Candidates' points are summed, and the candidate with the most points overall wins. This method avoids voting cycles by considering the full preference ranking of voters.

Alternative 4: Condorcet Method

The Condorcet Method compares each candidate in head-to-head contests. A candidate who wins every head-to-head contest is the Condorcet winner. If no such candidate exists (due to a voting cycle), a variety of Condorcet completion methods can be used to break the tie and determine the winner. By implementing any of these alternative voting systems, the problem of voting cycles can be reduced, leading to a more representative result reflecting the true preferences of the voters.