In this Method [the Method of Marks], a certain number of marks is fixed, which each elector shall have at his disposal; he may assign them all to one candidate, or divide them among several candidates, in proportion to their eligibility; and the candidate who gets the greatest total of marks is the winner.
This method would, I think, be absolutely perfect, if only each elector wished to do all in his power to secure the election of that candidate who should be the most generally acceptable, even if that candidate should not be the one of his own choice: in this case he would be careful to make the marks exactly represent his estimate of the relative eligibility of all the candidates, even of those he least desired to see elected; and the desired result would be secured.
But we are not sufficiently unselfish and public-spirited to give any hope of this result being attained. Each elector would feel that it was possible for each other elector to assign the entire number of marks to his favorite candidate, giving to all the other candidates zero: and he would conclude that, in order to give his own favorite candidate any chance of success, he must do the same for him.
Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll)Review the options below to login to check your access.
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