On the other hand, using similar logic, no campaign would risk engaging in vote buying. The cost benefit analysis precludes any vote buying scheme, since it must involve reaching out to voters who are not already known to be solid supporters of the candidate. Gain = a miniscule increase in the chance of winning election for each non-supportive individual approached and successfully bribed. Cost = years in jail if just one of these people exposes the candidate's illegal activity.
Terry Bouricius ----- Original Message ----- From: "Raph Frank" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mike Frank" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 6:54 PM Subject: Re: [EM] Idea for a free web service for (relatively) secure onlinevoting On Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 4:29 AM, Mike Frank <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > And anyway, politicians effectively "buy > votes" all the time already, whenever they promise certain classes of > voters > goodies such as tax rebates and the like Just a note, that is actually different from vote buying in a fundamental way. The problem is that it in your interests to sell your vote even if you know that the person is going cost you more than he pays if he is elected. The is because you are certain to be paid, but the probability of your vote actually making a difference is tiny. Gain = payment Loss = p*(cost of electing the person) It would be worth accepting $10 to vote for a candidate who is planning to increase you taxes by $100. ---- Election-Methods mailing list - see http://electorama.com/em for list info ---- Election-Methods mailing list - see http://electorama.com/em for list info
