Achieving Democracy

Plurality Vote How should society collectively make choices in a fair and democratic way? In the decision making system used most often in the United States, citizens periodically express their sentiment by voting for a candidate or measure. Whichever alternative receives the most votes (a plurality) is chosen. It is a simple decision system — easy to understand and seemingly fair. Unfortunately, it is often not fair at all. For example, an election in a liberal community might have three candidates, two of whom are liberal, the third a conservative. If the liberal voters in the community split their votes between the two liberal candidates, then the conservative may win — with perhaps votes totalling 35% and 25% for the two liberal candidates and 40% for the conservative. So even though 60% of the people prefer a liberal to represent them, the conservative candidate wins the election. The decision system determines a winner, but it does not do it in a way that seems fair or democratic.