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.