A longstanding complaint about gerrymandering is that the politicians in office during the redistricting process frequently engage in drawing maps that help themselves and their political allies retain seats or gain additional power. Some argue that critics underestimate the force of larger cultural and demographic trends in driving politically lopsided districts and thus gerrymandering isn’t a problem. What interests do citizens have in fair electoral maps? Are there any interests that all citizens have in maintaining fair electoral maps?

Some neighborhood kids are crowded around Lisa, age seven, who is easily beating one second-grader after another in chess. Immediately, Randy sees that Lisa is cheating, subtly moving pieces when the others aren’t looking, and making up rules that suit her as the games progress.