Abstract
I provide a novel argument in favour of majority rule. In particular, I consider the distribution of voter satisfaction in response to the outcome of a vote and prove that under certain conditions majority rule minimizes the level of inequality present in the distribution of voter satisfaction. This finding is reinforced by a computer simulation as well as an analysis of over four decades of polling data. Results complement existing procedural justifications of majority rule, demonstrating that majority rule ensures equality at the level of both procedure and outcome.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 617-629 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Analysis (United Kingdom) |
Volume | 80 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1 2020 |
Keywords
- democratic theory
- inequality
- majority rule
- social choice theory
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Philosophy