INFO I399

Topics in Informatics
Politics by Numbers

Questions about auctions, the irrationality of arms race, voting systems, and the possibility of democracy (in the sense of reflecting the will of the people) quite surprisingly provide a very nice forum for some fundamental mathematical activities: symbolic representation and manipulation, model-theoretic analysis, quantitative representation and calculation, and deduction as embodied in the presentation of mathematical proof as convincing argument. In this junior-level course we shall try to discuss mathematical frameworks addressing the questions above. This course assumes no college-level mathematical or social science prerequisites and as such is directed towards students in social sciences and humanities as well as informatics students. The only requirement is the ability and willingness to follow, analyze, and develop logical arguments. (3 credits)

Prerequisites: High school algebra, willingness to learn and think!

• Mathematics and Politics, Strategy, Voting, Power and Proof., 2nd Edition, Alan D. Taylor, Springer-Verlag New York, Inc., 2008.

1. Social Choice Theory
2. Manipulability
3. YES-NO Voting
4. Political Power
5. Conflict
6. Fairness
7. Escalation, time permitting.

• Homework (bi-weekly), 30 %
• Midterm I, 20 %
• Midterm II, 20 %
• Final, 30%

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Last updated on October 8, 2009.