ABSTRACT
The Hong-Page theorem purports to demonstrate that under robust conditions, diversity among participants in group decision-making more strongly contributes to the reliability of the group than increasing the reliability or competence of individual decision-makers. This theorem is often used to defend democratic or inclusive decision-making. This chapter carefully examines the theorem's purported proof assumptions, many of which are implausible under most conditions. Even worse, upon close examination, the proof turns out to be trivial and question-begging. Consequently, we should not utilize the theorem in epistemic defenses of democracy.
