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Bergson social welfare functions in applied welfare analysis

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Abstract

Characterizations of the orderings induced on a set of alternatives by often-used Bergson Social Welfare Functions are provided. The characterizations are particularly useful in applied welfare analysis, because they are formulated entirely in terms of orderings of alternatives, rather than orderings of utilities, as is typically done.

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Helpful comments from Charles Blackorby, Ake Blomqvist, John Broome, Sam Bucovetsky, Mike Hoy, Glenn MacDonal, John Weymark and three referees are gratefully acknowledged, but the usual disclaimer applies.

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Slivinski, A. Bergson social welfare functions in applied welfare analysis. Soc Choice Welfare 4, 241–251 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00286866

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