Richard McKelvey
Encyclopedia
Richard McKelvey was a political scientist
, specializing in mathematical theories of voting
. He received his BS in Mathematics
from Oberlin College
, MA in Mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis
, and PhD in Political Science from University of Rochester
. He was an Econometric Society
fellow, and was the Edie and Lew Wasserman Professor of Political Science at the California Institute of Technology
until his death, from cancer, in 2002.
McKelvey also wrote several articles about instability. One discussed the topic agenda manipulation.
The McKelvey theorem indicates that almost every possible outcome can be realized through democratic decision-making, by smartly choosing the order or agenda in which decisions are taken. The desired result is established by ensuring that in each stage another composition of the majority determines the outcome of that part of the decision-making procedure. The person who designs the decision-making procedure needs to know the preferences of the participants to achieve his or her most desirable outcome by shifting majorities. It will be clear that this position where you can control the agenda is attractive, because this person can in principle implement his or her most favoured choice.
In 2007 John Aldrich
(Duke), James Alt (Harvard) and Arthur Lupia
(Michigan) published the edited volume Positive Changes in Political Science: The Legacy of Richard D. McKelvey’s Most Influential Writings with the University of Michigan Press. The volume contains reprints of several of Richard McKelvey's classic papers along with original essays by leading names in political science.
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
, specializing in mathematical theories of voting
Voting
Voting is a method for a group such as a meeting or an electorate to make a decision or express an opinion—often following discussions, debates, or election campaigns. It is often found in democracies and republics.- Reasons for voting :...
. He received his BS in Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
from Oberlin College
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
, MA in Mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
, and PhD in Political Science from University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
. He was an Econometric Society
Econometric Society
The Econometric Society is an international society for the advancement of economic theory in its relation with statistics and mathematics. It was founded on December 29, 1930 at the Stalton Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio....
fellow, and was the Edie and Lew Wasserman Professor of Political Science at the California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
until his death, from cancer, in 2002.
McKelvey also wrote several articles about instability. One discussed the topic agenda manipulation.
The McKelvey theorem indicates that almost every possible outcome can be realized through democratic decision-making, by smartly choosing the order or agenda in which decisions are taken. The desired result is established by ensuring that in each stage another composition of the majority determines the outcome of that part of the decision-making procedure. The person who designs the decision-making procedure needs to know the preferences of the participants to achieve his or her most desirable outcome by shifting majorities. It will be clear that this position where you can control the agenda is attractive, because this person can in principle implement his or her most favoured choice.
In 2007 John Aldrich
John Aldrich
John Aldrich is an American political scientist and author, known for his research and writings on American politics, elections, and political parties, and on formal theory and methodology in political science....
(Duke), James Alt (Harvard) and Arthur Lupia
Arthur Lupia
Arthur Lupia is an American political scientist. He is the Hal R. Varian Professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan.Lupia received a B.A. degree in economics from the University of Rochester and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in social science from the California Institute of...
(Michigan) published the edited volume Positive Changes in Political Science: The Legacy of Richard D. McKelvey’s Most Influential Writings with the University of Michigan Press. The volume contains reprints of several of Richard McKelvey's classic papers along with original essays by leading names in political science.