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Non-bossiness

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  • William Thomson

Abstract

An allocation rule is “non-bossy” if whenever a change in an agent’s preferences does not bring about a change in his assignment, then it does not bring about a change in anybody’s assignment. We discuss the multiple interpretations that have been proposed for this property. We question their validity, arguing that in most cases, non-bossiness either says too little or that it says too much. We also make a case against the property. We propose as its main justification the technical help that it often provides in structuring classes of rules, making characterizations more manageable.

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  • William Thomson, 2016. "Non-bossiness," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 47(3), pages 665-696, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sochwe:v:47:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s00355-016-0987-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s00355-016-0987-7
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    JEL classification:

    • C79 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Other
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions

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