English

Quantum voting and violation of Arrow's Impossibility Theorem

Quantum Physics 2017-06-14 v3

Abstract

We propose a quantum voting system, in the spirit of quantum games such as the quantum Prisoner's Dilemma. Our scheme enables a constitution to violate a quantum analog of Arrow's Impossibility Theorem. Arrow's Theorem is a claim proved deductively in economics: Every (classical) constitution endowed with three innocuous-seeming properties is a dictatorship. We construct quantum analogs of constitutions, of the properties, and of Arrow's Theorem. A quantum version of majority rule, we show, violates this Quantum Arrow Conjecture. Our voting system allows for tactical-voting strategies reliant on entanglement, interference, and superpositions. This contribution to quantum game theory helps elucidate how quantum phenomena can be harnessed for strategic advantage.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1501.00458,
  title  = {Quantum voting and violation of Arrow's Impossibility Theorem},
  author = {Ning Bao and Nicole Yunger Halpern},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1501.00458},
  year   = {2017}
}

Comments

Version accepted by Phys. Rev. A. Added background and references about game theory and about Arrow's Theorem. Added an opportunity for further research. For citation purposes: The second author's family name is "Yunger Halpern" (not "Halpern")