POLITICS AND MATHEMATICS

This optional course provides the basics of formal reasoning in politics, giving an introduction to the axiomatic theory of equity. The ability to represent and reason about the essential components of a problem of social choice or allocation is fundamental in supporting decision-making in any environment that involves several agents with non-aligned interests.

The course is geared to ambitious students who are not afraid of analytical thinking. Due to the cuts in teaching enacted by the Academic Senate (1 ECTS=3.75 actual hours of frontal instruction), this 6-ECTS course covers less than what is customarily expected in similar courses taught across the European Union.

a) Knowledge and understanding:
a.1) Ability to discern problems of social choice and of allocation.
a.2) Ability to recognise and formulate general principles of equity.
a.3) Ability to conceptualize randomisation and its advantages.

b) Applying knowledge and understanding:
b.1) Ability to compute different kinds of solutions.
b.2) Ability to build formal models for reasoning about simple problems.
b.3) Ability to handle basic notions for social decisions.

c) Making judgements
c.1) Ability to detect and discuss the consequence of different premises.
c.2) Ability to rank the plausibility of different predictions.
c.3) Ability to raise cogent objections.

There is no formal prerequisite, but a solid familiarity with analytical reasoning is strongly recommended.

1. Voting and elections
2. Quantifying power
3. Setting priorities
4. Apportioning seats
5. Settling claims
6. Sharing costs
7. Bargaining
8. Dividing fairly
9. Envy and egalitarianism

A.D. Taylor and A.M. Pacelli (2008), Mathematics and politics, 2nd edition, Springer.

H.P. Young (1994), Equity: In theory and practice, Princeton University Press.

Grading is based on a final written exam. This consists of (at least five, typically) six questions, each with its own score. At least 20 points (out of a minimum of 30) are amenable to (possibly, variations on the) questions listed in a Study Guide made available during the course.

If the number of active students is not greater than 20, there may be problem sets assigned as homework, whose outcomes will contribute 20% of the final grade for those who take their exam in the first call.

The exam is closed-notes and closed-book, but you are allowed to use a pocket calculator and two sides of an A4-sheet prepared by you at home. Failing to register for the exam is sufficient cause for denying admission.

Lectures with practice sessions.

English

For information and updates, see the class Moodle page.

Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development