Democracy

Focus | Elections, Beyond Politics

© Yves / stock.adobe.com

© Yves / stock.adobe.com

The outcome of an election does not depend only on the programs and the candidates. It also depends on the voting system and the strategic calculations of the players involved. Three insights from economics to help better understand some of these mechanisms.

In Favour of the Majority

How can we explain that majority voting is so often used in our societies, when other methods of collective decision-making exist? Economists and mathematicians offer their analysis. Read the article 

Le serment du Jeu de Paume le 20 juin 1789 © Jacques-Louis David / Musée Carnavalet
The oath of the Jeu de Paume le 20 juin 1789 © Jacques-Louis David / Musée Carnavalet

Striking a balance: how to win over new voters without losing the traditional base

Drawing on game theory, two economists highlight the strategy that a political figure must adopt to attract new voters whilst preserving their existing electoral base? Read the article

Photo by Arnaud Jaegers on Unsplash
© Photo by Arnaud Jaegers on Unsplash

Voting When Conflicted

What happens when a voter's preferences are divided between several political orientations? In France, around 10% of voters are said to be ‘dissonant’. How do they impact elections? Read the article

References

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