A Voting System for Internet Based Democracy
13 Pages Posted: 20 Sep 2010
Date Written: September 18, 2010
Abstract
Many voting systems are focused on resolving tight or inconclusive group preferences and produce a unique winner within a limited time frame. Such approaches are not feasible for typical web based interest groups with decentralized organization structure. These groups are often loosely organized. If at all, they show low entry and exit barriers which make it hard to define clear rules about who is in and out. Associated security issues make it hard to verify such a distinction even if it did exist.
This paper suggests a voting system that is suitable for decision making in a decentralized and loosely organized group of activists. The voting mechanics employs an iterative voting procedures where participants have to solve a sequence of social dilemma games in order to identify themselves as group members. In theory this mechanism could work even without any central registration service through transitive approvals from universally accepted representatives.
Keywords: internet voting system
JEL Classification: C71
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation