It is because mathematics is often misunderstood, it is commonly


believed it has nothing to say about politics. The high school


experience with mathematics, for so many the lasting impression


of the subject, suggests that mathematics is the study of numbers,


operations, formulas, and manipulations of symbols. Those


believing this is the extent of mathematics might conclude


mathematics has no relevance to politics. This book counters this impression.




The second edition of this popular book focuses on mathematical reasoning


about politics. In the search for ideal ways to make certain kinds


of decisions, a lot of wasted effort can be averted if mathematics can determine that


finding such an ideal is actually impossible in the first place.




In the first three parts of this book, we address the following three


political questions:




(1) Is there a good way to choose winners of elections?


(2) Is there a good way to apportion congressional seats?


(3) Is there a good way to make decisions in situations of conflict and


uncertainty?




In the fourth and final part of this book, we examine the Electoral


College system that is used in the United States to select a president.


There we bring together ideas that are introduced in each of the three


earlier parts of the book.