Gibbard

Gibbard is a surname most notably associated with Allan Gibbard, an American philosopher recognized for his work in moral and political philosophy and for co-authoring the Gibbard–Satterthwaite theorem in social choice theory. The theorem, published in 1973 with co-author Mark Satterthwaite, is a foundational result in voting theory and collective decision-making.

The Gibbard–Satterthwaite theorem addresses the manipulability of voting rules. It states that, with at least three alternatives and under broad conditions, every non-dictatorial voting rule can be influenced by voters who misrepresent their preferences. In practical terms, the theorem implies that no voting method can be entirely immune to strategic voting unless it collapses to a dictatorship or imposes restrictive assumptions.

Beyond the theorem, Gibbard’s work has influenced discussions on democracy, collective choice, and rational decision-making. In philosophy and political theory, his contributions are cited in debates about how to design fair and robust mechanisms for group decisions.

In addition to Allan Gibbard, the surname is comparatively uncommon and may appear in various fields and regions. The Gibbard–Satterthwaite theorem remains a central reference point in scholarly discussions of voting behavior and social choice.