Chap 13+14 Definitions Flashcards
Absolute majority
More than half the votes
Dependence on irrelevant alternatives
The winner depends on candidacies that do not win
Majority runoff
Absolute majority in the first round with a second round between the two most voted-for candidates
Pareto criterion
A decision is efficient if it increases the satisfaction of some voters or at least does not worsen any
Plurality or relative majority
The highest number of votes, even short of a majority
Representation
The election of people to act in the voters’ interests
Simple majority
Just one more than half the votes
Super, or qualified, majority
Two thirds, three fourths, or some other threshold beyond a half
Unanimity rule
The agreement of all voters is required
Appointment, or districting
Distribution of seats among different electoral districts
Assembly size
Total number of seats in an assembly
Ballot
Form of voting to select parties and individual candidates
Magnitude
Number of seats to be elected in a district
Majority rule
Large parties prefer small districts and small parties prefer large districts
Mixed electoral systems
Some seats are elected by majority rule and others by proportional representation
