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Trimming Extreme Opinions in Preference Aggregation

Author

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  • Philippos Louis
  • Matías Núñez
  • Dimitrios Xefteris

Abstract

The use of trimmed mean mechanisms in collective decision-making is motivated by the perception that they constitute a remedy for strategic misreporting. This work focuses on the strategic calculus of voting under such mechanisms and –contrary to the above presumption– it demonstrates both formally and experimentally that: a) voters persistently resort to strategic polarization for all but the most extreme levels of trimming and b) the outcome is more extreme and closer to the ideal policy of the median voter compared to when trimming does not take place. These so far uncharted properties of trimming provide novel insights –and call for caution– regarding its implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Philippos Louis & Matías Núñez & Dimitrios Xefteris, 2019. "Trimming Extreme Opinions in Preference Aggregation," University of Cyprus Working Papers in Economics 12-2019, University of Cyprus Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucy:cypeua:12-2019
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    File URL: https://papers.econ.ucy.ac.cy/RePEc/papers/12-19.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Puppe, Clemens & Rollmann, Jana, 2021. "Mean versus median voting in multi-dimensional budget allocation problems. A laboratory experiment," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 309-330.
    2. Müller, Michael & Puppe, Clemens, 2020. "Strategy-proofness and responsiveness imply minimal participation," Working Paper Series in Economics 138, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Department of Economics and Management.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    trimmed mean; equilibrium; experiment; collective decisions; facility location problem;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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

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