Bounds on the number of lifts of a Brauer character in a p-solvable group
Abstract The Fong–Swan theorem shows that for a p-solvable group G and Brauer character φ ∈ IBr p ( G ) , there is an ordinary character χ ∈ Irr ( G ) such that χ 0 = φ , where 0 denotes restriction to the p-regular elements of G. This still holds in the generality of π-separable groups, where IBr p ( G ) is replaced by I π ( G ) . For φ ∈ I π ( G ) , let L φ = { χ ∈ Irr ( G ) | χ 0 = φ } . In this paper we give a lower bound for the size of L φ in terms of the structure of the normal nucleus of φ and, if G is assumed to be odd and π = { p ′ } , we give an upper bound for L φ in terms of the vertex subgroup for φ.
Induction and Restriction of π-Partial Characters and their Lifts
Abstract Let G be a finite π-separable group, where π is a set of primes. The π-partial characters of G are the restrictions of the ordinary characters to the set of π-elements of G. Such an object is said to be irreducible if it is not the sum of two nonzero partial characters and the set of irreducible π- partial characters of G is denoted Iπ(G). (If p is a prime and π = p′, then Iπ(G) is exactly the set of irreducible Brauer characters at p.) From their definition, it is obvious that each partial character φ ∊ Iπ(G) can be “lifted” to an ordinary character χ ∊ Irr(G). (This means that φ is the restriction of χ to the π-elements of G.) In fact, there is a known set of canonical lifts Bπ(G) ⊆ Irr(G) for the irreducible π-partial characters. In this paper, it is proved that if 2 ∉ π, then there is an alternative set of canonical lifts (denoted Dπ(G)) that behaves better with respect to character induction. An application of this theory to M-groups is presented. If G is an M-group and S ⊆ G is a subnormal subgroup, consider a primitive character θ ⊆ Irr(S). It was known previously that if |G : S| is odd, then θ must be linear. It is proved here without restriction on the index of S that θ(1) is a power of 2.
Participation Improves Collective Decisions (When It Involves Deliberation): Experimental Evidence From Kenya
Abstract Citizen participation in decision making has been widely lauded as a method for improving societal outcomes. Deliberative discussion, in particular, is believed to be more transformative than a mere aggregation of individual preferences, leading to more socially optimal decision making and behavior. I report the results from a laboratory experiment with 570 subjects in Nairobi, directly testing the effect of participation in deliberative group decision making on collective outcomes. Participants engage in a group task to earn compensation toward a shared group fund. Randomly assigned treatments vary according to whether decision making over the task to be completed involves: (1) external assignment; (2) non-deliberative majority voting; or (3) consensus through deliberative discussion. I find that deliberation improves collective decision making. Deliberation is also associated with changes in preferences, greater agreement with decision outcomes, and greater perceived fairness. Evidence for behavior change is weaker, but there is some support for further research into the relationship between preference change and behavior change.