Increasing Accountability and Reducing Polarization through Evaluative Voting with Dr. Pierre Etienne Vandamme

The Center for Critical Democracy Studies presents: Increasing Accountability and Reducing Polarization through Evaluative Voting with Dr. Pierre-Etienne Vandamme (UC Louvain).

Abstract: Outside of social choice theory, philosophical reflection on voting and its methods is largely neglected. Yet there is a plurality of ways of voting, with very different properties, and requiring normative examination. The focus here will be on evaluation voting, which allows voters to evaluate all parties or candidates, rather than choosing just one. Two normative reasons for taking this method seriously will be put forward. Firstly, its ability to reduce the negative effects of polarization that affect majoritarian electoral systems. Secondly, its capacity to facilitate popular accountability and electoral sanction.