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Let Me Vote! An experimental study of vote rotation in committees

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  • R. Bosman
  • P. Maier
  • V. Sadiraj
  • F. van Winden

Abstract

We conduct an experiment to investigate (i) whether rotation in voting increases a committeeâ??s efficiency, and (ii) the extent to which rotation is likely to critically influence collective and individual welfare. The experiment is based on the idea that voters have to trade-off individual versus common interests. Our findings indicate that the choice of a rotation scheme has important consequences: it â??paysâ?? to be allowed to vote, as voting committee members earn significantly more than non-voting members. Hence, rotation is not neutral. We also find that smaller committees decide faster and block fewer decisions. This reduces frustration among committee members.

Suggested Citation

  • R. Bosman & P. Maier & V. Sadiraj & F. van Winden, 2002. "Let Me Vote! An experimental study of vote rotation in committees," Experimental Economics Center Working Paper Series 2006-18, Experimental Economics Center, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, revised Aug 2013.
    • Handle: RePEc:exc:wpaper:2006-18
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    File URL: http://excen.gsu.edu/workingpapers/GSU_EXCEN_WP_2006-18.pdf
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    File URL: http://excen.gsu.edu/workingpapers/GSU_EXCEN_WP_2013-07.pdf
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    4. Sauermann, Jan & Beckmann, Paul, 2019. "The influence of group size on distributional fairness under voting by veto," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 90-102.
    5. Rieder, Kilian, 2022. "Monetary policy decision-making by committee: Why, when and how it can work," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    6. Alekseev, Aleksandr & Alm, James & Sadiraj, Vjollca & Sjoquist, David L., 2021. "Experiments on the fly," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 288-305.
    7. Jan C. van Ours, 2022. "How Retirement Affects Mental Health, Cognitive Skills and Mortality; an Overview of Recent Empirical Evidence," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 22-050/V, Tinbergen Institute.
    8. James Cox & Vjollca Sadiraj & Ulrich Schmidt, 2015. "Paradoxes and mechanisms for choice under risk," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 18(2), pages 215-250, June.
    9. Gnan, Phillipp & Rieder, Kilian, 2022. "The (Not So) Quiet Period: Communication by ECB Decision-makers during Monetary Policy Blackout Days," CEPR Discussion Papers 15735, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D70 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - General
    • D78 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies

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