Abstract
We propose a new principle of ‘non-interference’ applied to social welfare orderings. The principle, together with two other standard requirements, implies a strong egalitarian conclusion: the ordering must lexicographically maximize the welfare of the worst off.
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The first version of this paper was written when Mariotti was visiting Bocconi University. Their generous hospitality and financial support through a Research Fellowship is gratefully acknowledged. A previous version of this paper written by Mariotti alone was circulated with the title ‘Liberalism implies equality’. We thank Ken Binmore, Paola Manzini, Juan Moreno Ternero and two referees for helpful comments. The responsibility for any error is our own.
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Mariotti, M., Veneziani, R. ‘Non-interference’ implies equality. Soc Choice Welf 32, 123–128 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00355-008-0316-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00355-008-0316-x