The flawed math that shapes American democracy | Ismar Volić | TEDxBrownU

Mathematics professor Ismar Volić argues that understanding the math behind elections, electoral maps and representation is necessary to judge how democratic systems work. The talk, given at TEDxBrownU, frames quantitative literacy as a tool for reviewing and improving democracy. Volić is a Professor of Mathematics and Director of the Institute for Mathematics and Democracy at Wellesley College, and the author of Making Democracy Count.

• Why elections, maps and representation depend on mathematical choices
• Quantitative political literacy as a way to reassess democracy
• Background of the speaker: mathematician at Wellesley College and author of Making Democracy Count

In this talk titled “The Hidden Math that Shapes Democracy,” Professor Ismar Volić will reveal why before we talk about elections, maps, and representation, we need to talk about math. Ismar Volić is a Professor of Mathematics and Director of the Institute for Mathematics and Democracy at Wellesley College whose work and writing, featured in outlets including TIME and The Hill, focus on how mathematics strengthens democratic systems. Author of Making Democracy Count, based on his popular course The Mathematics of Democracy, the Bosnia-born mathematician advocates for quantitative political literacy to help reimagine and improve democracy. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx