The whole and the sum of its parts : formation of blocs revisited

For any simple voting game (SVG), we raise the question as to whether forming a given bloc is advantageous. We consider this question from two different points of view as to what voting power means. We also distinguish between blocs imposed by annexation and those formed voluntarily. We illustrate our theoretical findings with examples using both toy SVGs and the QualifiedMajority Voting rule of the Council ofMinisters of the European Community.