AnyA '''Condorcet method''' is any election method conforming to the [[Condorcet winner criterion]]. -thatThe is,method in onequestion whichmust always elects the [["beats-all" winner]], aselecting any candidate who can beat any other candidate in a pairwise runoff,. ifoneThe existsname - is known as a '''("Condorcet method'''. The name") comes from the 18th century mathematician and philosopher [[Marquis de Condorcet]], although the method was previously described by [[Ramon Llull]] in the 13th century. Many Condorcet advocates agree that a further criterion that Condorcet methods should pass is the [[Smith criterion]], which means the Condorcet method will always elect someone from the [[Smith set]] when there is no beats-all winner (usually due to the [[Condorcet paradox]]).
'''Condorcet''' is sometimes used to refer to the family of Condorcet methods as a whole.