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How large should a representative assembly be relative to its population? My idea is that it should be the pi root of the population. I figure that since the Greeks invented democracy, it should have some connection to the ancients.

Personally, I’d like to see this as a constitutional amendment (called the Elfenbein Amendment) that will formally determine the size of the U.S. House of Representatives, although I don’t believe it’s required. I think a simple law will do.

I ran the idea passed John Derbyshire, and he had the best response—pi is appropriate given that the place is irrational.

I’ve attached a spreadsheet showing what the historical root has been, and it’s often hovered around 3.14.

Posted by edelfenbein at October 31, 2008 10:43 PM