Three Brief Proofs of Arrow's Impossibility Theorem

John Geanakoplos ()
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John Geanakoplos: Cowles Foundation, Yale University, https://economics.yale.edu/people/faculty/john-geanakoplos

No 1123R3, Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers from Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University

Abstract: Arrow's original proof of his impossibility theorem proceeded in two steps: showing the existence of a decisive voter, and then showing that a decisive voter is a dictator. Barbera replaced the decisive voter with the weaker notion of a pivotal voter, thereby shortening the first step, but complicating the second step. I give three brief proofs, all of which turn on replacing the decisive/pivotal voter with an extremely pivotal voter (a voter who by unilaterally changing his vote can move some alternative from the bottom of the social ranking to the top), thereby simplifying both steps in Arrow's proof. My first proof is the most straightforward, and the second uses Condorcet preferences (which are transformed into each other by moving the bottom alternative to the top). The third (and shortest) proof proceeds by reinterpreting Step 1 of the first proof as saying that all social decisions are made the same way (neutrality).

Keywords: Arrow Impossibility Theorem; pivotal; neutrality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D7 D70 D71 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 6 pages
Date: 1996-04, Revised 2001-06
Note: CFP 1116.
References: Add references at CitEc
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Published in Economic Theory (2005), 26(1): 211-215

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