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Large elections with multiple alternatives: a Condorcet Jury Theorem and inefficient equilibria

Author

Listed:
  • GOERTZ, Johanna

    (University of Guelph, Canada & Université catholique de Louvain, CORE, Belgium)

  • MANIQUET, François

    (Université catholique de Louvain, CORE, Belgium)

Abstract

We investigate whether the plurality rule aggregates information efficiently in large elections with multiple alternatives, in which voters have common interests. Voters’ preferences depend on an unknown state of nature, and they receive imprecise private signals about the state of nature prior to the election. Similar to two-alternative elections (e.g., Myer- son (1998)), there always exists an informationally efficient equilibrium in which the correct alternative is elected. However, we identify new types of coordination failures in elections with more than two alternatives that lead to new types of inefficient equilibria. These can have interesting new properties: Voters may vote informatively, but the correct alternative is not elected.

Suggested Citation

  • GOERTZ, Johanna & MANIQUET, François, 2013. "Large elections with multiple alternatives: a Condorcet Jury Theorem and inefficient equilibria," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2013023, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    • Handle: RePEc:cor:louvco:2013023
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    File URL: https://sites.uclouvain.be/core/publications/coredp/coredp2013.html
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. NESTEROV, Yurii, 2013. "Universal gradient methods for convex optimization problems," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2013026, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    3. CORNUEJOLS, Gérard & WOLSEY, Laurence & YILDIZ, Sercan, 2013. "Sufficiency of cut-generating functions," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2013027, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    4. MLINAR, Tanja B. & CHEVALIER, Philippe, 2013. "Pooling in manufacturing: do opposites attract?," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2013040, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    efficient information aggregation; simple plurality rule; Poisson games; Condorcet Jury Theorem;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design

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