LO2E in Picking a Method

[Steve Eppley]

Demorep asked:
>Does the famous lesser of two evils (LO2E) idea apply to picking
>election reform methods?

It certainly can!  For instance, if the best method is so complicated 
that the voters may reject it because they don't understand it, 
then a KIS method which isn't quite as good could be considered the 
"lesser evil" if the status quo is considered the "greater evil."

Or if the method is so controversial that not everyone who 
understands it agrees it's best, then those who do think it's best 
may want to consider whether another method will have a better chance
of getting a majority to agree it's best.

>Namely which of the two following methods is the LO2E--
> 1. A method which always produces a winner approved by a majority
>   of the voters.
>or
> 2. A method which does not alway produce a winner approved by a
>   majority of the voters. 

The first doesn't exist.  There's no way a method can guarantee 
a majority will approve at least one candidate.

---Steve     (Steve Eppley    seppley at alumni.caltech.edu)