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The minimum sum representation as an index of voting power

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  • Freixas, Josep
  • Kaniovski, Serguei

Abstract

We propose a new power index based on the minimum sum representation (MSR) of a weighted voting game. The MSR offers a redesign of a voting game, such that voting power as measured by the MSR index becomes proportional to voting weight. The MSR index is a coherent measure of power that is ordinally equivalent to the Banzhaf, Shapley–Shubik and Johnston indices. We provide a characterization for a bicameral meet as a weighted game or a complete game, and show that the MSR index is immune to the bicameral meet paradox. We discuss the computation of the MSR index using a linear integer program and the inverse MSR problem of designing a weighted voting game with a given distribution of power.

Suggested Citation

  • Freixas, Josep & Kaniovski, Serguei, 2014. "The minimum sum representation as an index of voting power," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 233(3), pages 739-748.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:233:y:2014:i:3:p:739-748
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2013.09.010
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    1. Sascha Kurz, 2016. "The inverse problem for power distributions in committees," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 47(1), pages 65-88, June.
    2. Kong, Qianqian & Peters, Hans, 2023. "Power indices for networks, with applications to matching markets," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 306(1), pages 448-456.
    3. Serguei Kaniovski & Sascha Kurz, 2018. "Representation-compatible power indices," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 264(1), pages 235-265, May.
    4. Kurz, Sascha & Mayer, Alexander & Napel, Stefan, 2020. "Weighted committee games," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 282(3), pages 972-979.
    5. Antônio Francisco Neto, 2019. "Generating Functions of Weighted Voting Games, MacMahon’s Partition Analysis, and Clifford Algebras," Mathematics of Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 44(1), pages 74-101, February.
    6. Dan S. Felsenthal, 2016. "A Well-Behaved Index of a Priori P-Power for Simple N-Person Games," Homo Oeconomicus: Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics, Springer, vol. 33(4), pages 367-381, December.
    7. Sascha Kurz & Nicola Maaser & Stefan Napel & Matthias Weber, 2014. "Mostly Sunny: A Forecast of Tomorrow's Power Index Research," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 14-058/I, Tinbergen Institute.

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