>[!abstract] >The Condorcet paradox, named after Marquis de Condorcet, arises in voting theory when collective preferences become cyclical even though individual preferences are transitive. For example, in a group vote, a majority may prefer A over B, another majority prefers B over C, and yet another prefers C over A, creating an intransitive loop with no clear winner. This paradox exposes how majority rule can fail to produce a consistent outcome, highlighting vulnerabilities in democratic decision-making. It underscores the role of agenda setting, voting rules, and strategic behavior in shaping results when group preferences are aggregated. >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): [[Intransitivity]] >- **West** (similar): [[Arrow’s impossibility theorem]] >- **East** (different): [[Transitivity]] >- **South** (downstream): —