Research Seminar MicroeconomicsOptimal voting mechanisms with costly participation and abstentionPeter Grüner (U Mannheim)
16 November 2017
The Microeconomics Research Seminar welcomes
Peter Grüner (U Mannheim),
who will present his work on
"Optimal voting mechanisms with costly participation and abstention".
Place: Room 0029, Von-Melle-Park 5
Hour: 17:15 - 18:45
We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Abstract:
How should a society choose between two social alternatives when valuations are private, monetary transfers are not feasible, and participation in the decision process is costly? We show that it is always socially optimal to use a linear voting rule: votes get alternative-dependent weights, and a default obtains if the weighted sum of votes stays below some threshold. A participation or approval quorum rule can be optimal only if one side of the electorate abstains. Voluntary voting always dominates compulsory voting.