How Can We Best Respond to Low Participation Rates in Elections?

Abstract information

With a population exceeding 500 million, the participation of less than 5 million EU citizens in a recent survey on abolishing daylight saving was, to say the least, disappointing. In this video, THOMAS TRÖGER explores how voting rules can be used to account for the problem of voter abstention. Analyzing how voter actions will result in optimal outcomes (Nash Equilibrium) under different voting rules, Tröger identifies significant failings in majority voting with a quorum. With further work required on interdependent value settings, the research demonstrates that linear voting rules represent the most effective means of dealing with the abstention problem in private value settings.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21036/LTPUB10798

Researcher

Thomas Tröger is Professor of Economics at the University of Mannheim. He has previously held research posts at University College London, the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of Bonn (where he completed his PhD). Tröger’s research focuses on game theory and microeconomics. A referee for numerous journals including Econometrica, Theoretical Economics and the International Game Theory Review, Tröger has provided consultancy expertise for the UK Radiocommunications Agency.

Institution information

University of Mannheim (Universität Mannheim)

For generations, the University of Mannheim has been preparing students to take on leadership roles in business, academia, and society. One of the university’s strengths in this task is its profile, which is characterized by the economic and social sciences. It is in these fields that the University of Mannheim has repeatedly been ranked as one of the top 20 European research institutions. Key focuses of Mannheim researchers include decision-making processes and elections, governance, regulation, competition and innovation, migration and multilingualism, and the culture of change. The campus surrounding Mannheim’s baroque palace is a place where bright minds from across the globe come together to learn, discuss, research, and prepare to make their mark on the world.

University of Mannheim (Universität Mannheim)

Original Publication

Linear Voting Rules

Hans Peter Grüner

,

Thomas Tröger

Published in 2019