[Election-Methods] Partisan Politics + a method proposal

[Juho]

On Jun 2, 2008, at 2:05 , Fred Gohlke wrote:

> I am concerned about the handling of divergent opinions, but will  
> cross that bridge when I come to it.

I have seen plenty of different opinions on various matters on this  
mailing list, so better to just try to propose methods that would  
appeal at least to some subgroup of the opinions here.  Presenting a  
well justified proposal that need not be agreed by all is maybe a  
good approach.

> I suspect our best course would be to select one race (you've  
> already mentioned 'governor') and build up a method around that.

I don't believe there would be a method that would be a good proposal  
for all needs in all environments at all times.  It is therefore  
important to identify the environment and the target.  One could e.g.  
try to propose a realistic reform to the governor elections of the  
USA.  The current methods in use and the traditions (e.g. use of  
write-ins in the USA) and the current opinions (is there an interest  
to make a reform, and how much or how little can be changed) are  
essential when trying to generate a proposal for such practical  
situation (defining theoretical ideal models would be another approach).

It would also make sense to clearly lay out the basic requirements.   
In this case I expect that the method should be such that it would  
not be fully controlled by the current powerful parties but would  
allow also third parties and/or individuals to be active and  
influence the outcome.

Further more it would help to set some technical targets on what one  
wants to achieve.  Does one want to find a method that is based on  
small hierarchical groups or maybe a more flat structure method.  
Maybe one wants to base it on some well known existing methods like  
Condorcet or some style of ballots (rankings, ratings, bullet  
voting).  The range of election methods is so wide that this kind of  
limitations are typically needed (to define the intended scope of  
search and expected range of comments and alternative proposals).

- - -

Maybe the scope is governor elections in the USA and the idea is to  
make a proposal that might have chances of success in a few years  
perspective.

I note that e.g. write-ins could be included in the proposal due to  
the US traditions in this sector.  Most other countries might not be  
interested.

One could try to propose a method that is not bound to the current  
set-up of two leading parties competing about the seat.  => This  
alone could mean that there is no easy to adopt proposals since the  
incumbents are likely to oppose.  But one can try.

If seeking for a good basic single-winner method (with no  
hierarchical groups) then one could consider e.g. the Condorcet methods.

If one wants a method that is based on smallish hierarchical groups  
and discussions within them then we can not get that good help from  
the long tradition of election method studies but must improvise  
more.  There are many alternatives.  (Of course the degree of change  
when compared to the current system gets bigger and getting the  
reform accepted becomes trickier.)

The nomination process could be an changed if one wants to open new  
possibilities there.  (I don't know much about the current nomination  
practices so I don't propose anything here.)

Some more observations:
- requiring some level of education or other properties may not be  
appropriate in a governor race (I guess the trust of people is more  
important)
- there may be a need to limit the number of candidates somehow =>  
some limitations in the nomination process

- - -

I'm just trying to point out that if the target and requirements are  
clear enough then it is much easier to make and discuss concrete  
proposals and how they would meet the given requirements.  (Otherwise  
the scope of alternative methods and opinions may be too wide to get  
any good grip of the topic.)

Juho




		
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