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A problem with referendums

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lacy, D; Niou, EMS
Published in: Journal of Theoretical Politics
January 1, 2000

When some voters have nonseparable preferences across multiple binary issues, majority rule may not select a Condorcet winning set of outcomes when one exists, and the social choice may be a Condorcet loser or Pareto-dominated by every other set of outcomes. We present an empirical example of one such paradox from voting on the Internet. We evaluate potential solutions to the problem of nonseparable preferences in referendums, including set-wise voting, sequential voting, and vote-trading. Sequential voting and vote-trading prevent the selection of Condorcet losers and universally Pareto-dominated outcomes. Legislatures facilitate sequential voting and vote-trading better than referendums, suggesting that referendums increase the quantity of participants in democratic decision-making but decrease the quality of participation.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Journal of Theoretical Politics

DOI

ISSN

0951-6298

Publication Date

January 1, 2000

Volume

12

Issue

1

Start / End Page

5 / 31

Related Subject Headings

  • Political Science & Public Administration
  • 4408 Political science
  • 1606 Political Science
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Lacy, D., & Niou, E. M. S. (2000). A problem with referendums. Journal of Theoretical Politics, 12(1), 5–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/0951692800012001001
Lacy, D., and E. M. S. Niou. “A problem with referendums.” Journal of Theoretical Politics 12, no. 1 (January 1, 2000): 5–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/0951692800012001001.
Lacy D, Niou EMS. A problem with referendums. Journal of Theoretical Politics. 2000 Jan 1;12(1):5–31.
Lacy, D., and E. M. S. Niou. “A problem with referendums.” Journal of Theoretical Politics, vol. 12, no. 1, Jan. 2000, pp. 5–31. Scopus, doi:10.1177/0951692800012001001.
Lacy D, Niou EMS. A problem with referendums. Journal of Theoretical Politics. 2000 Jan 1;12(1):5–31.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Theoretical Politics

DOI

ISSN

0951-6298

Publication Date

January 1, 2000

Volume

12

Issue

1

Start / End Page

5 / 31

Related Subject Headings

  • Political Science & Public Administration
  • 4408 Political science
  • 1606 Political Science