Political Hypotheses and Mathematical Conclusions

Future of Economic Design, (Laslier, Moulin, Sanver, and Zwicker, eds.),Springer-Verlag, Forthcoming

Vanderbilt Law Research Paper No. 17-55

7 Pages Posted: 13 Oct 2017 Last revised: 24 Jul 2018

See all articles by Paul H. Edelman

Paul H. Edelman

Vanderbilt University - Law School

Date Written: August 12, 2017

Abstract

When modeling or analyzing democratic processes, mathematicians may find themselves in unfamiliar territory: political philosophy. How we proceed mathematically may depend heavily on our conception of representative democracy and theory of government. I will give a number of illustrations to show how contestable political principles lead to differing mathematical analyses. Our mathematical conclusions are inherently governed by our political hypotheses.

Keywords: voting power, Banzhaf, districting, gerrymandering, one person-one vote, Evenwel v. Abbott, apportionment

JEL Classification: C65, C71, D72

Suggested Citation

Edelman, Paul H., Political Hypotheses and Mathematical Conclusions (August 12, 2017). Future of Economic Design, (Laslier, Moulin, Sanver, and Zwicker, eds.),Springer-Verlag, Forthcoming, Vanderbilt Law Research Paper No. 17-55, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3051744 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3051744

Paul H. Edelman (Contact Author)

Vanderbilt University - Law School ( email )

131 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203-1181
United States
615-322-0990 (Phone)
615-322-6631 (Fax)

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