An axiomatic analysis of the papal conclave

Andrew Mackenzie

Economic Theory, 2020, vol. 69, issue 3, No 6, 713-743

Abstract: Abstract In the Roman Catholic Church, the pope is elected by the (cardinal) electors through “scrutiny,” where each elector casts an anonymous nomination. Using historical documents, we argue that a guiding principle for the church has been the protection of electors from the temptation to defy God through dishonest nomination. Based on axiomatic analysis involving this principle, we recommend that the church overturn the changes of Pope Pius XII to reinstate the scrutiny of Pope Gregory XV, and argue that randomization in the case of deadlock merits consideration.

Keywords: Pope; Conclave; Mechanism design; Impartiality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D71 D82 K16 Z12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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DOI: 10.1007/s00199-019-01180-0

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