[EM] Voting reform statement; a clearer and more inspiring version

[Dave Ketchum]

What those considering, or later doing, Condorcet voting should  
consider.  Fred's last principle, about participation, caught my eye.

Those writing of Condorcet voting often promote formally ranking all  
candidates (the least liked retains its position even if the only one  
not formally ranked).  I read that as excessive since it goes against  
the principle by demanding more effort than useful in properly  
choosing as winner. To clarify:

Assuming a voter has found ranking A to be satisfying "the full extent  
of the individual's desire and ability", then ranking only A is a  
proper vote and would have the  same effect as a similar vote in  
FPTP.  Note that in FPTP voters often are tortured by wanting to vote  
for more than one, but being unable to.

Assuming a voter has found A & others to be equally satisfying "the  
full extent of the individual's desire and ability", then ranking them  
alike is a proper vote and would have the  same effect as a similar  
vote in Approval.

Assuming a voter has found A & B, with A preferred, to be satisfying  
"the full extent of the individual's desire and ability", but showing  
preference by ranking both with A higher than B is doable here, though  
not in FPTP or Approval.

Combinations of the above ranking are permitted, leaving as many as  
the voter may choose at the bottom (unranked) level.

Dave Ketchum

On Aug 24, 2011, at 12:57 PM, Fred Gohlke wrote:

> If one wishes to "distribute a formal statement of the election- 
> method principles that we agree upon.", would it not be wise to  
> start by finding out which principles command agreement?
>
> Perhaps it would be better to take one step back and jointly define  
> the principles before attempting a formal statement.  One  
> possibility might start something like this:
>
> Electoral Method Principles:
>
> * Principles express a consensus.
>
> * No principle has primacy over another principle.
>
> * Any principle can be challenged by rational argument.
>
>
> Principles of human interaction:
>
> * The interactions between humans is known as politics.
>
> * The scope of politics is immense.
>
> * The immensity of politics requires organization.
>
> * The first step of forming an organization is to define its
>  principles.
>
>
> Principles of government:
>
> * The people have the right to define their government.
>
> * The Electoral Method must implement government by the people.
>
> * Government by the people means that every individual in the
>  society can participate in the political process to the full
>  extent of the individual's desire and ability.
>
> It is not my place to list the principles for this board, except as  
> an example, so the foregoing is merely a suggested outline.  
> Participants in the discussion must define the principles important  
> to them, and should do so before attempting a formal statement  
> alleged to be supported by all members.
>
> Fred Gohlke