Gibbard-Satterthwaite theorem

proper noun

A theorem dealing with deterministic ordinal electoral systems that choose a single winner, stating that for every voting rule, one of the following three things must hold: (i) the rule is dictatorial, i.e. there exists a distinguished voter who can choose the winner; or (ii) the rule limits the possible outcomes to two alternatives only; or (iii) the rule is susceptible to tactical voting: in certain conditions some voter's sincere ballot may not defend their opinion best.

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Meanings

proper nounthe Gibbard-Satterthwaite theorem
  1. A theorem dealing with deterministic ordinal electoral systems that choose a single winner, stating that for every voting rule, one of the following three things must hold: (i) the rule is dictatorial, i.e. there exists a distinguished voter who can choose the winner; or (ii) the rule limits the possible outcomes to two alternatives only; or (iii) the rule is susceptible to tactical voting: in certain conditions some voter's sincere ballot may not defend their opinion best.

Origin

Published independently by philosopher Allan Gibbard in 1973 and economist Mark Satterthwaite in 1975.

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Cite this entry
APA

Gibbard-Satterthwaite theorem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Gibbard-Satterthwaite%20theorem

MLA

“Gibbard-Satterthwaite theorem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Gibbard-Satterthwaite%20theorem. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Gibbard-Satterthwaite theorem,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Gibbard-Satterthwaite%20theorem.

Source: Gibbard-Satterthwaite theorem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.