What鈥檚 the best way to determine what most voters want when multiple candidates are running? What鈥檚 the fairest way to allocate legislative seats to different constituencies? What鈥檚 the least distorted way to draw voting districts? Not the way we do things now. Democracy is mathematical to its very foundations. Yet most of the methods in use are a historical grab bag of the shortsighted, the cynical, the innumerate, and the outright discriminatory. Making Democracy Count sheds new light on our electoral systems, revealing how a deeper understanding of their mathematics is the key to creating civic infrastructure that works for everyone.
In this timely guide, Ismar Voli膰 empowers us to use mathematical thinking as an objective, nonpartisan framework that rises above the noise and rancor of today鈥檚 divided public square. Examining our representative democracy using powerful clarifying concepts, Voli膰 shows why our current voting system stifles political diversity, why the size of the House of Representatives contributes to its paralysis, why gerrymandering is a sinister instrument that entrenches partisanship and disenfranchisement, why the Electoral College must be rethought, and what can work better and why. Voli膰 also discusses the legal and constitutional practicalities involved and proposes a road map for repairing the mathematical structures that undergird representative government.
Making Democracy Count gives us the concrete knowledge and the confidence to advocate for a more just, equitable, and inclusive democracy.
Awards and Recognition
- Finalist for the PROSE Award in Popular Science and Mathematics, Association of American Publishers
Ismar Voli膰 is professor of mathematics and director of the Institute for Mathematics and Democracy at Wellesley College. His work has appeared in publications such as The Hill, Cognoscenti, and Education Week.
"Voli膰 often effectively follows up clear illustrations using small sets of data with real-world examples. . . . Overall, this fascinating book is thought provoking and strongly recommended."鈥擭. W. Schillow, Choice
"The book reads nothing like a math textbook. It stays approachable, even while diving deep into its subject matter. . . . There’s no one better to teach this material than Ismar Voli膰."鈥擠eb Otis, National Civic League
"As the United States grapples with persistent challenges in its electoral system, Voli膰’s work is a timely contribution, offering a rigorous analysis of how mathematical principles can enhance the fairness and integrity of democratic processes."鈥擧ank Lacey, Law of the West
"Voli膰 surveys voting and apportionment methods, including impossibility results, in a readable way with real-life examples."鈥�Mathematics Magazine
"Provides insight into mathematical thinking and creativity, and analytical tools for critically assessing policy. . . . Engaged readers will find inspiration to apply these insights in their own exploration."鈥擩an Cameron, The Mathematical Intelligencer
鈥淭he rules for electing candidates to public office have a profound effect on democracy, a fact not generally appreciated. Ismar Voli膰鈥檚 beautifully written book shows just how crucial these rules are鈥攁nd how they can be improved.鈥濃�擡ric Maskin, Nobel Laureate in Economics, Harvard University
鈥淎 clear, accessible, and enjoyable introduction to the mathematical machinery behind American democracy. Challenging us to imagine how elections could be different, Voli膰 explains how mathematicians think about the basic elements of our democratic system, from voting and apportionment to gerrymandering. In a moment when many worry about American polarization, Volic鈥檚 perspective is refreshing and necessary.鈥濃�擜lma Steingart, author of Axiomatics: Mathematical Thought and High Modernism
鈥淒o you remember how shocked you were at the outcome of the 2016 presidential election? One candidate received millions more votes, and yet she lost! The Electoral College was a major culprit, but there are lots of other ways for seemingly reasonable processes to go astray. In Making Democracy Count, you will learn how the immutable mathematical laws behind commonly accepted voting schemes make such astonishing outcomes possible. Read this book and you will learn what can be done to make the word 鈥榙emocracy鈥� achieve what it claims. Highly recommended.鈥濃�擯aul J. Nahin, author of The Mathematical Radio
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