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Strong dictatorship via ratio-scale measurable utilities: a simpler proof

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  • Jacob M. Nebel

    (Princeton University)

Abstract

Tsui and Weymark (Econ Theory 10:241–256, 1997, https://doi.org/10.1007/s001990050156 ) have shown that the only continuous social welfare orderings on the whole Euclidean space which satisfy the weak Pareto principle and are invariant to individual-specific similarity transformations of utilities are strongly dictatorial. Their proof relies on functional equation arguments which are quite complex. This note provides a simpler proof of their theorem.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacob M. Nebel, 2023. "Strong dictatorship via ratio-scale measurable utilities: a simpler proof," Economic Theory Bulletin, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 11(1), pages 101-106, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:etbull:v:11:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s40505-023-00244-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s40505-023-00244-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Blackorby, Charles & Donaldson, David & Weymark, John A, 1984. "Social Choice with Interpersonal Utility Comparisons: A Diagrammatic Introduction," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 25(2), pages 327-356, June.
    2. John A. Weymark & Kai-yuen Tsui, 1997. "Social welfare orderings for ratio-scale measurable utilities," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 10(2), pages 241-256.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Arrow’s impossibility theorem; Strong dictatorship; social welfare orderings; Ratio-scale measurability; Informational invariance conditions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations

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