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Neural networks would 'vote' according to Borda's rule

Author

Listed:
  • Burka, David
  • Puppe, Clemens
  • Szepesvary, Laszlo
  • Tasnadi, Attila
Abstract
Can neural networks learn to select an alternative based on a systematic aggregation of conflicting individual preferences (i.e. a 'voting rule')? And if so, which voting rule best describes their behavior? We show that a prominent neural network can be trained to respect two fundamental principles of voting theory, the unanimity principle and the Pareto property. Building on this positive result, we train the neural network on profiles of ballots possessing a Condorcet winner, a unique Borda winner, and a unique plurality winner, respectively. We investigate which social outcome the trained neural network chooses, and find that among a number of popular voting rules its behavior mimics most closely the Borda rule. Indeed, the neural network chooses the Borda winner most often, no matter on which voting rule it was trained. Neural networks thus seem to give a surprisingly clear-cut answer to one of the most fundamental and controversial problems in voting theory: the determination of the most salient election method.

Suggested Citation

  • Burka, David & Puppe, Clemens & Szepesvary, Laszlo & Tasnadi, Attila, 2016. "Neural networks would 'vote' according to Borda's rule," Working Paper Series in Economics 96, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Department of Economics and Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:kitwps:96
    DOI: 10.5445/IR/1000062014
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Burka, Dávid & Puppe, Clemens & Szepesváry, László & Tasnádi, Attila, 2022. "Voting: A machine learning approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 299(3), pages 1003-1017.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    voting; social choice; neural networks; machine learning; Borda count;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations

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