[MUD-Dev] Economics: Arrow's Impossibility Theorem

[J C Lawrence]

Kenneth Arrow, the economist
(http://www.gettysburg.edu/~s352079/arrow.html), is also the author of
"Arrow's Impossibility Theorem" which states (and mathematically
proves) that it is impossible to have a perfectly fair method of
voting when there are three or more choices available, or, simply put,
"There is no fair voting system."

For a copy of the proof (Warning: turgid):

  http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~sgoldman/201a/arrow.pdf

Some good discussion of the basic concepts with easily understood
examples and demonstrations can be found at:

  http://www.gate.net/~svaughen/apportion/p1.html
  http://www.gate.net/~svaughen/apportion/p2.html

We're all familiar with the Black Rose logs (see the archives if
you're not (Note: Yes, I just found out that the archives were not
updating nightly (cron died) they will all update tonight, MUD-Dev is
current now)) and its attempt at governance thru concensus.  Arrow's
theorem makes the Black Rose incident especially interesting as it now
becomes a progressively normed voting system where the number of
choices never descend below three.

Curious really.

--
J C Lawrence                               Internet: claw at null.net
(Contractor)                               Internet: coder at ibm.net
---------(*)                     Internet: claw at under.engr.sgi.com
...Honourary Member of Clan McFud -- Teamer's Avenging Monolith...