Mill's canons meet social ranking: A characterization of plurality

Takahiro Suzuki, Michele Aleandri and Stefano Moretti ()
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Takahiro Suzuki: Department of Civil Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
Michele Aleandri: LUISS - Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali Guido Carli [Roma]
Stefano Moretti: LAMSADE - Laboratoire d'analyse et modélisation de systèmes pour l'aide à la décision - Université Paris Dauphine-PSL - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

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Abstract: In his book entitled ''A System of Logic, Ratiocinative and Inductive'' (1843), John Stuart Mill proposed principles of inductive reasoning in the form of five canons. To date, these canons are classic methods for causal reasoning: they are intended to single out the circumstances that are connected to the phenomenon under focus. The present paper reinterprets Mill's canons in the modern theory of social ranking solutions, which aims to estimate the power of individuals based on teams' performances. We first apply Mill's canons to determine the key success factors in cooperative performances and then characterize plurality using a strong version of Mill's first canon. Plurality is also compatible with most other canons. Thus, our results demonstrated a hidden link between classical causal reasoning and the theory of social ranking solutions.

Keywords: Theoretical Economics (econ.TH); FOS: Economics and business; plurality coalitional social choice function Mill's method Causal inference; plurality; coalitional social choice function; Mill's method; Causal inference (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-11-14
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