Voting Theory
In voting systems, independence of irrelevant alternatives is often interpreted as, if one candidate (X) wins the election, and a new candidate (Y) is added to the ballot, only X or Y will win the election.
Approval voting and range voting satisfy the independence of irrelevant alternatives criterion. Another cardinal system, cumulative voting, does not satisfy the criterion.
An anecdote which illustrates a violation of this property has been attributed to Sidney Morgenbesser:
- After finishing dinner, Sidney Morgenbesser decides to order dessert. The waitress tells him he has two choices: apple pie and blueberry pie. Sidney orders the apple pie. After a few minutes the waitress returns and says that they also have cherry pie at which point Morgenbesser says "In that case I'll have the blueberry pie."
All voting systems have some degree of inherent susceptibility to strategic nomination considerations. Some regard these considerations as less serious unless the voting system specifically fails the (easier to satisfy) independence of clones criterion.
Read more about this topic: Independence Of Irrelevant Alternatives
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