Equally-distributed equivalent utility, ex post egalitarianism and utilitarianism

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic Theory
Year: 2012
Volume: 147
Issue: 4
Pages: 1545-1571

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We provide an axiomatization of expected equally-distributed equivalent-utility social welfare functions in the context of Harsanyiʼs impartial observer theorem. For this family of social welfare functions, we show what additional axiom is necessary and sufficient for the observer to exhibit aversion to ex post inequality. We also relate this axiomatization to our axiomatization in a companion paper of generalized utilitarian social welfare functions. Given certain richness assumptions, the only social welfare functions that belong to both families are the utilitarian.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jetheo:v:147:y:2012:i:4:p:1545-1571
Journal Field
Theory
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25