Apportion

Definition

Apportionment is the process of distributing a fixed number of items, such as seats in a legislature, among different groups based on a particular criterion like population size. It aims to ensure proportional representation according to the chosen standard.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The apportionment problem often involves dividing seats in a legislative body among various regions or states based on population.
2. A standard divisor is calculated by dividing the total population by the number of seats available.
3. The standard quota for each group is found by dividing its population by the standard divisor.
4. Various methods, such as Hamilton's method and Jefferson's method, are used to resolve fractional quotas into whole numbers.
5. Apportionment can lead to paradoxes, like the Alabama Paradox where increasing total seats can result in a loss of seats for some groups.

Review Questions

• How do you calculate the standard divisor in an apportionment problem?
• What are some common methods used to handle fractional quotas in apportionment?
• What is the Alabama Paradox and how does it relate to apportionment?

Related terms

Standard Divisor: A value obtained by dividing the total population by the number of items or seats to be apportioned.

Standard Quota: The exact share each group should receive, calculated as its population divided by the standard divisor.

Hamilton's Method: An apportionment method that allocates seats based on standard quotas and distributes any remaining seats to groups with the largest fractional remainders.