The (sub-)optimality of the majority rule

► We consider collective choice with two alternatives. ► The standard majority rule often maximizes agentsʼ ex-ante expected utility. ► A weak majority rule takes each alternative with probability 1/2 if neither alternative has enough support. ► If the agentsʼ utilities are stochastically correlated, a weak majority rule may perform better than the majority rule. ► We also compare rules from an interim-viewpoint.