[Election-Methods] RE : Measuring power in a multi winner election

[Howard Swerdfeger]

>> I was wondering first if there are any methods of measuring power in a 
>> legislature that I am unaware of? Secondly if anybody has tried to 
>> design a generic system where by votes are kept proportional to power, 
>> via allocation of seats?
> 
> I find this question very interesting... But I am guessing that you don't
> have many allocation possibilities, especially with a small number of 
> factions.

True, but one could design a system to select a fixed number of 
factions, that the designer would find appropriate.

> 
> Another thing: I guess it wouldn't be cloneproof. Say there's normally
> only three parties and everybody votes for a party list. I guess a
> party could gain an advantage by running two lists instead of one.

Yah, that is probably the biggest problem with it. because once the 
votes are translated into weights or seats, the addition of these seats 
would represent more power, then the sum of there seats would otherwise 
indicate.
This would put a massive pressure on the larger parties to split into 
the smallest possible unit that will still be given recognition.

On the up side this would resolve your earlier problem of not having 
enough parties...;)

I feel design of such a system I suggested would simply be a 
mathematical / or computational exercise with no practical application 
to actually create a system which is better for the citizens.


> 
> Kevin Venzke
> 
> 
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