New-state paradox

Definition

The new-state paradox occurs when the addition of a new state to a union or organization, along with its fair share of seats, causes a shift in the apportionment that results in one of the existing states losing a seat. This paradox highlights challenges in maintaining fairness across varying population distributions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The new-state paradox can cause changes in seat distribution among existing states when a new state is added.
2. It demonstrates how certain apportionment methods can lead to unexpected outcomes.
3. This paradox was notably observed with the admission of Alaska and Hawaii as U.S. states.
4. Mathematician Edward Huntington formally identified and described the new-state paradox.
5. The phenomenon underscores the complexity of creating fair apportionment methods that adapt smoothly to changes.

Review Questions

• What is the new-state paradox and how does it affect apportionment?
• Can you provide an example of when the new-state paradox occurred in U.S. history?
• Why is the new-state paradox significant when discussing fairness in apportionment?

Related terms

Apportionment: The process of distributing seats among different regions or groups based on population or other criteria.

Alabama Paradox: A situation where increasing the total number of seats results in some states receiving fewer seats than before.

Population Paradox: Occurs when one state's population grows faster than another's, but it loses representation relative to the slower-growing state.