Mathematicians prove perfectly fair elections are impossible
Mathematicians have shown that no electoral system can perfectly balance local representation, proportional national results, and a fixed-size parliament once enough parties compete. A newly proposed voting method could soften these unavoidable trade-offs and produce outcomes that are much closer to fair.
Mathematicians from the University of Cambridge and the University of Copenhagen have concluded that a perfectly fair election system is impossible, according to a recent study published in the Annals of Operations Research. The researchers examined both proportional representation and first-past-the-post systems, concluding that every method for electing a national legislature involves compromises, usually among local representation, national proportionality, and the total number of parliamentary seats.
The study's findings were highlighted by several recent elections in northern European countries, such as Denmark and Germany, where voters increasingly split their support among a larger number of political parties, leading to tensions between these three central features of election systems.
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