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JCT
2010

On the probability of a rational outcome for generalized social welfare functions on three alternatives

13 years 9 months ago
On the probability of a rational outcome for generalized social welfare functions on three alternatives
In [11], Kalai investigated the probability of a rational outcome for a generalized social welfare function (GSWF) on three alternatives, when the individual preferences are uniform and independent. In this paper we generalize Kalai’s results to a broader class of distributions of the individual preferences, and obtain new lower bounds on the probability of a rational outcome in several classes of GSWFs. In particular, we show that if the GSWF is monotone and balanced and the distribution of the preferences is uniform, then the probability of a rational outcome is at least 3/4, proving a conjecture raised by Kalai. The tools used in the paper are analytic: the Fourier-Walsh expansion of Boolean functions on the discrete cube, properties of the Bonamie-Beckner noise operator, and the FKG inequality.
Nathan Keller
Added 28 Jan 2011
Updated 28 Jan 2011
Type Journal
Year 2010
Where JCT
Authors Nathan Keller
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