[EM] "Higher Resolution Methods"

[Martin Harper]

The optimal strategy for cardinal ratings will depend on how you count 
the ballots... if you use the cardinal ratings to determine ordinal 
rankings for beatpath or IRV, the strategy will be different to if you 
simply add them all up. Strategy is a result of the method used, not the 
ballots used...


Forest Simmons wrote:

> I believe that "higher resolution methods" have a place, but mostly in
> non-political contexts like pattern recognition, where the grading or
> judging is done by mechanical sensors or where the graders have no stake
> in the outcome.  Ice skating competition judges seem to have set grading
> standards, since they routinely give scores within 10% of each other.
> 
> Let me summarize again why I favor AV.  Cardinal Ratings (high resolution) 
> can be considered a refinement of both AV information and Ordinal Ranking
> information, so it is more "expressive" than either.  But optimal strategy
> voting based on Cardinal Ratings results almost surely in an AV ballot.
> This strongly suggests to me that although the AV ballot may not be as
> expressive as the others, it carries the most relevant information for the
> actual election.
> 
> In a mechanical or otherwise non-strategical situation, the Cardinal
> Rating would be preferable if available.
> 
> Forest