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Introduction Proof Conclusion A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare KENNETH J. ARROW Oren Roth - Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

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Page 1: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion

A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

KENNETH J. ARROW

Oren Roth - Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 2: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion

1 IntroductionThe problemFormalization

2 ProofTheorem Proof

3 Conclusion

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 3: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Definition of the problem

We paased couple of weeks in our seminar, let say we want totake all the lecturs we saw already...

and give some order on them (prefernces)

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 4: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Definition of the problem

We paased couple of weeks in our seminar, let say we want totake all the lecturs we saw already...and give some order on them (prefernces)

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 5: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Definition of the problem

So we will ask all the students in the seminar (and Paz aswell) to give us an order on all of the lectures.

We want some mechanism to take all those orders andcombine it to one aggregate order.

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 6: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Definition of the problem

So we will ask all the students in the seminar (and Paz aswell) to give us an order on all of the lectures.We want some mechanism to take all those orders andcombine it to one aggregate order.

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 7: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Definition of the problem

We will want to keep some basic rules:

UnanimityIndependence of irrelevant alternatives

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 8: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Definition of the problem

We will want to keep some basic rules:

Unanimity

Independence of irrelevant alternatives

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 9: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Definition of the problem

We will want to keep some basic rules:

UnanimityIndependence of irrelevant alternatives

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 10: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Definition of the problem

We will want to keep some basic rules:

UnanimityIndependence of irrelevant alternatives

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 11: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Definition of the problem

We will want to keep some basic rules:

UnanimityIndependence of irrelevant alternatives

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 12: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Definition of the problem

We will want to keep some basic rules:

UnanimityIndependence of irrelevant alternatives

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 13: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Definition of the problem

So what Arrow THM shows as that the only why to keep thissimple rules is by having...

Dictator!

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 14: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Definition of the problem

So what Arrow THM shows as that the only why to keep thissimple rules is by having...

Dictator!

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 15: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Definition of the problem

So what Arrow THM shows as that the only why to keep thissimple rules is by having...

Dictator!

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 16: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Formalization

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 17: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Formal definitions

Assumption: n voters give their complete ranking on set A ofalternatives

L the set of linear orders on A (permutation).

Each voter i provides <i in L

Input to the aggregator/voting rule is (<1, <2, . . . , <n)

Our Goal: find a function W : Ln → L, (called a social welfarefunction) that aggregates voters preference into a commonorder

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 18: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Formal definitions

Assumption: n voters give their complete ranking on set A ofalternatives

L the set of linear orders on A (permutation).

Each voter i provides <i in L

Input to the aggregator/voting rule is (<1, <2, . . . , <n)

Our Goal: find a function W : Ln → L, (called a social welfarefunction) that aggregates voters preference into a commonorder

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 19: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Formal definitions

Assumption: n voters give their complete ranking on set A ofalternatives

L the set of linear orders on A (permutation).

Each voter i provides <i in L

Input to the aggregator/voting rule is (<1, <2, . . . , <n)

Our Goal: find a function W : Ln → L, (called a social welfarefunction) that aggregates voters preference into a commonorder

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 20: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Formal definitions

Assumption: n voters give their complete ranking on set A ofalternatives

L the set of linear orders on A (permutation).

Each voter i provides <i in L

Input to the aggregator/voting rule is (<1, <2, . . . , <n)

Our Goal: find a function W : Ln → L, (called a social welfarefunction) that aggregates voters preference into a commonorder

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 21: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Formal definitions

Assumption: n voters give their complete ranking on set A ofalternatives

L the set of linear orders on A (permutation).

Each voter i provides <i in L

Input to the aggregator/voting rule is (<1, <2, . . . , <n)

Our Goal: find a function W : Ln → L, (called a social welfarefunction) that aggregates voters preference into a commonorder

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 22: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Arrows Impossibility Theorem

Every Social Welfare Function W over a set A of at least 3candidates, If it satisfies:

UnanimityW (<,<, . . . , <) =<for all < in L

Independence of irrelevant alternatives

Let (<1, <2, . . . , <n) and (<′1, <

′2, . . . , <

′n) s.t.

W (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =< and W (<′1, <

′2, . . . , <

′n) = W ′

if ∀i a <i b ⇐⇒ a <′i b therefore

a < b ⇐⇒ a′ < b

Then it is dictatorial:

there exists a voter i whereW (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =<i

for all <1, <2, . . . , <n in L

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 23: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Arrows Impossibility Theorem

Every Social Welfare Function W over a set A of at least 3candidates, If it satisfies:

UnanimityW (<,<, . . . , <) =<for all < in L

Independence of irrelevant alternatives

Let (<1, <2, . . . , <n) and (<′1, <

′2, . . . , <

′n) s.t.

W (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =< and W (<′1, <

′2, . . . , <

′n) = W ′

if ∀i a <i b ⇐⇒ a <′i b therefore

a < b ⇐⇒ a′ < b

Then it is dictatorial:

there exists a voter i whereW (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =<i

for all <1, <2, . . . , <n in L

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 24: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Arrows Impossibility Theorem

Every Social Welfare Function W over a set A of at least 3candidates, If it satisfies:

UnanimityW (<,<, . . . , <) =<for all < in L

Independence of irrelevant alternatives

Let (<1, <2, . . . , <n) and (<′1, <

′2, . . . , <

′n) s.t.

W (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =< and W (<′1, <

′2, . . . , <

′n) = W ′

if ∀i a <i b ⇐⇒ a <′i b therefore

a < b ⇐⇒ a′ < b

Then it is dictatorial:

there exists a voter i whereW (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =<i

for all <1, <2, . . . , <n in L

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 25: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Arrows Impossibility Theorem

Every Social Welfare Function W over a set A of at least 3candidates, If it satisfies:

UnanimityW (<,<, . . . , <) =<for all < in L

Independence of irrelevant alternativesLet (<1, <2, . . . , <n) and (<′

1, <′2, . . . , <

′n) s.t.

W (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =< and W (<′1, <

′2, . . . , <

′n) = W ′

if ∀i a <i b ⇐⇒ a <′i b therefore

a < b ⇐⇒ a′ < b

Then it is dictatorial:

there exists a voter i whereW (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =<i

for all <1, <2, . . . , <n in L

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 26: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Arrows Impossibility Theorem

Every Social Welfare Function W over a set A of at least 3candidates, If it satisfies:

UnanimityW (<,<, . . . , <) =<for all < in L

Independence of irrelevant alternativesLet (<1, <2, . . . , <n) and (<′

1, <′2, . . . , <

′n) s.t.

W (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =< and W (<′1, <

′2, . . . , <

′n) = W ′

if ∀i a <i b ⇐⇒ a <′i b therefore

a < b ⇐⇒ a′ < b

Then it is dictatorial:

there exists a voter i whereW (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =<i

for all <1, <2, . . . , <n in L

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 27: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Arrows Impossibility Theorem

Every Social Welfare Function W over a set A of at least 3candidates, If it satisfies:

UnanimityW (<,<, . . . , <) =<for all < in L

Independence of irrelevant alternativesLet (<1, <2, . . . , <n) and (<′

1, <′2, . . . , <

′n) s.t.

W (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =< and W (<′1, <

′2, . . . , <

′n) = W ′

if ∀i a <i b ⇐⇒ a <′i b therefore

a < b ⇐⇒ a′ < b

Then it is dictatorial:

there exists a voter i whereW (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =<i

for all <1, <2, . . . , <n in L

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 28: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Arrows Impossibility Theorem

Every Social Welfare Function W over a set A of at least 3candidates, If it satisfies:

UnanimityW (<,<, . . . , <) =<for all < in L

Independence of irrelevant alternativesLet (<1, <2, . . . , <n) and (<′

1, <′2, . . . , <

′n) s.t.

W (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =< and W (<′1, <

′2, . . . , <

′n) = W ′

if ∀i a <i b ⇐⇒ a <′i b therefore

a < b ⇐⇒ a′ < b

Then it is dictatorial:

there exists a voter i whereW (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =<i

for all <1, <2, . . . , <n in L

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 29: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Arrows Impossibility Theorem

Every Social Welfare Function W over a set A of at least 3candidates, If it satisfies:

UnanimityW (<,<, . . . , <) =<for all < in L

Independence of irrelevant alternativesLet (<1, <2, . . . , <n) and (<′

1, <′2, . . . , <

′n) s.t.

W (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =< and W (<′1, <

′2, . . . , <

′n) = W ′

if ∀i a <i b ⇐⇒ a <′i b therefore

a < b ⇐⇒ a′ < b

Then it is dictatorial:there exists a voter i whereW (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =<i

for all <1, <2, . . . , <n in L

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 30: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion The problem Formalization

Arrows Impossibility Theorem

Every Social Welfare Function W over a set A of at least 3candidates, If it satisfies:

UnanimityW (<,<, . . . , <) =<for all < in L

Independence of irrelevant alternativesLet (<1, <2, . . . , <n) and (<′

1, <′2, . . . , <

′n) s.t.

W (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =< and W (<′1, <

′2, . . . , <

′n) = W ′

if ∀i a <i b ⇐⇒ a <′i b therefore

a < b ⇐⇒ a′ < b

Then it is dictatorial:there exists a voter i whereW (<1, <2, . . . , <n) =<i

for all <1, <2, . . . , <n in L

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 31: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion Theorem Proof

Proof

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 32: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion

Conclusion and open problems

Questions?

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare

Page 33: A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare - BGUorenrot/files/Arrow-THM.pdf · 2016. 11. 27. · KENNETH J. ARROW A Di culty in the Concept of Social Welfare. IntroductionProofConclusion

Introduction Proof Conclusion

Conclusion and open problems

Thanks

KENNETH J. ARROW A Difficulty in the Concept of Social Welfare