The algorithm of simulated annealing in Citizen's Assemblies

<p>Project Sonata Bis 2021/42/E/HS5/00155 Narodowe Centrum Nauki (NCN).</p><p>The principle behind organizing citizens’ assemblies is that their members are selected at random (Curato et al., 2021; Setälä and Smith, 2018; Warren and Pearse, 2008). Random selection is conducted in such a way that the composition of an assembly reflects selected demographic, social, or economic criteria in the same proportions as in the society as a whole (Fishkin, 2009).Inclusion of demographic criteria in the composition of the group creates a challenge with regards to how to draw assembly members in accordance with democratic principles (Flanigan et al., 2021; Smith, 2012). We propose that the priority for random selection should be given to accuracy in terms of how pre- cisely the demographic criteria are reflected in the composition of the group. The method we have developed to achieve this is based on the algorithm of simulated annealing. Our findings demonstrate that simulated annealing yields positive results concerning the Closeness Index associated with accuracy. Additionally, this method creates a large number of unique panels, offering in this way a</p><p>variety of possibilities for the volunteers to be selected to an assembly. A well- designed method for random selection improves the legitimacy of the citizens’ assembly process, and thus of deliberative democracy</p>