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Hybrid choice systems in small-n elections with sophisticated electorates

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  • Iain McLean

    (Nuffield College)

Abstract

Faced with the classic paradoxes of voting, system designers have sometimes offered hybrid systems. The paper reviews Condorcet–Borda hybrids proposed by Daunou, Dodgson, Nanson, and Kemeny; and Borda-Balinski hybrids in use in at least one scientific academy. The justification of the hybrids is practical rather than theoretical, as they cannot escape the known features of their parent systems. In particular, as Condorcet showed in 1788, all Borda systems violate independence of irrelevant alternatives (in some formulation).

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  • Iain McLean, 2025. "Hybrid choice systems in small-n elections with sophisticated electorates," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 204(1), pages 15-30, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:204:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11127-025-01308-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-025-01308-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. McLean, Iain & Urken, Arnold B, 1992. "Did Jefferson or Madison Understand Condorcet's Theory of Social Choice?," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 73(4), pages 445-457, June.
    2. Ray, Paramesh, 1973. "Independence of Irrelevant Alternatives," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 41(5), pages 987-991, September.
    3. Young, H. P., 1988. "Condorcet's Theory of Voting," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 82(4), pages 1231-1244, December.
    4. McLean, Iain, 1995. "Independence of irrelevant alternatives before Arrow," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 107-126, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jarosław Flis & Bernard Grofman & Marek M. Kaminski, 2025. "Mixed electoral systems: an introduction to the special issue," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 204(1), pages 1-14, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • B12 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Classical (includes Adam Smith)
    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations

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