Introduction to Social Choice Theory: decisions, cooperation, competition, justice 3500-FAK-WTWS-OG

The aim of the course is to present basics of Social Choice Theory. The theory examines properties of methods of social decision making. Social decisions can be decisions taken in general elections, decisions taken in decision-making bodies (parliaments, councils, committees, international organizations); on the other hand - they may be decisions regarding group (eg the distribution of goods or encumbrances between its members). Social decisions are generally taken in a formalized way, using strictly defined procedures. The assessment of these procedures may include their compliance with the principles of democracy (which require precise wording), standards of justice (also requiring definition), respect for individual rights and group autonomy, and, on the other hand, compliance with various rationality criteria.
The basic blocks of classes will include: introduction to the theory of individual decisions and utility theory, the basis of the theory of social decisions and methods of aggregation of preferences and their practical implementation in the form of voting methods and electoral systems; criteria for democracy, rationality, and respect for individual rights; methods of equitable distribution of goods and theirs relation to proportional representation methods.
Course topics
1. The theory of social choice - basic concepts and issues
2. Choice, preferences, utility, risk.
3. Individual rationality and its limitations
4. Individual decisions in conditions of uncertainty
5. Social decisions: the problem of aggregation of individual decisions
6. Democratic decisions. Paradoxes of preference aggregation
7. "Majority" voting
8. Social choice and autonomy of individuals and groups
9. Decisions in the conditions of strategic interaction: game theory
10. Fair distribution of goods and burdens - introduction
11. Problems of proportional distribution and proportional electoral systems
12. Game theory and the distribution of goods: N-person games in the form of a characteristic function
13. Division of goods in a case of diversified rights and strategic position
14. Specific problems of division of indivisible goods

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Course coordinators

Jacek Haman

Learning outcomes

Knows and understands basic sociological concepts
Has basic knowledge about social structures and selected social institutions, and their interrelations
Understands the social nature of relationships between individuals, social groups and social institutions
Has basic knowledge about the mechanisms of social group dynamics and interdependencies between groups and individuals
Has basic knowledge of the criteria of inference correctness
Understands the specificity of sociological analysis
Has basic knowledge of the norms and rules governing social structures and institutions
Has basic knowledge about the functioning of the economy and its relations with other social institutions
Has rudimentary knowledge about the functioning and management of various types of organizations
Has basic knowledge of politics and participation of society in the public sphere
Is aware of the processes occurring in Polish and global society and their consequences for social attitudes and institutions
Has basic knowledge about the current needs and problems of Polish society and changes occurring in this area
Knows the most important processes and ideas of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, which have shaped the face of the modern world
Is aware of the consequences of choosing a particular theoretical perspective
Can record and observe social phenomena in a methodologically correct way
Can interpret past and present social events (political, cultural, and economic) using sociological concepts and theories
Can use basic sociological terms and categories to analyze societies, particularly contemporary Polish society
Can independently find facts and materials needed to conduct simple sociological analyses, using various sources in both Polish and a foreign language, and using modern technologies
Can independently form simple judgments on the causes of selected social processes and phenomena
Can conduct a simple analysis of the consequences of the processes occurring in modern societies
Can prepare a simple, descriptive scenario predicting the course of social processes and phenomena
Can use ethical norms and rules in research practice
Can use academic knowledge acquired in social practice
Can select proper research methods and techniques to conduct an analysis of a particular problem
Can discuss measures presented as solutions to particular social problems (in micro and macro scale), based on acquired knowledge
Can formulate a general evaluation of a measure undertaken to solve a particular social problem, based on acquired knowledge
Can form judgments on motives of human behavior and predict its social consequences
Can comprehend a scientific text and identify its main theses and the author’s arguments, as well as discuss them
Can share the acquired sociological knowledge
Can find, gather and synthesize information about social phenomena
Can argue a thesis
Can properly use sources of scientific information
Is aware of the consequences of ongoing projects

Assessment criteria

written exam,
attendance
written retake exam

Bibliography

Haman, J. 2003. Demokracja, decyzje, wybory. Wydawnictwo Naukowe Scholar.
Lissowski, G. (red.). 2001. Elementy teorii wyboru społecznego. Wydawnictwo Naukowe Scholar.
Bożykowski, M. 2012. Problem podziału zbioru dóbr niepodzielnych w sytuacji nierównych uprawnień. „Decyzje” 18: 25-47.
Kamiński, M.M. 1994. Twierdzenie Arrowa: przykład zastosowania metody aksjomatycznej w naukach społecznych. „Studia Socjologiczne” Nr 3-4, 73 92.
Szaniawski, K. 1971. Kryteria podejmowania decyzji. W: Kozielecki, J. (red.), Problemy psychologii matematycznej. PWN, 303-324.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3500-FAK-WTWS-OG in USOSweb