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Rationalizable solutions to pure population problems

Author

Listed:
  • Walter Bossert

    (Department of Economics, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • David Donaldson

    (Department of Economics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1)

  • Charles Blackorby

    (Department of Economics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1)

Abstract

In pure population problems, a single resource is to be distributed equally among the agents in a society, and the social planner chooses population size(s) and per-capita consumption(s) for each resource constraint and set of feasible population sizes within the domain of the solution. This paper shows that a weak condition regarding the possible choice of a zero population is necessary and sufficient for the rationalizability of a solution by a welfarist social ordering. In addition, solutions that are rationalized by critical-level generalized utilitarianism are characterized by means of a homogeneity property.

Suggested Citation

  • Walter Bossert & David Donaldson & Charles Blackorby, 1999. "Rationalizable solutions to pure population problems," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 16(3), pages 395-407.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sochwe:v:16:y:1999:i:3:p:395-407
    Note: Received: 1 December 1997/Accepted: 26 February 1998
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. BLACKORBY, Charles & BOSSERT, Walter & DONALDSON, David, 2006. "Population Ethics," Cahiers de recherche 2006-15, Universite de Montreal, Departement de sciences economiques.
      • BLACKORBY, Charles & BOSSERT, Walter & DONALDSON, David, 2006. "Population Ethics," Cahiers de recherche 14-2006, Centre interuniversitaire de recherche en économie quantitative, CIREQ.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrikopoulos, Athanasios, 2009. "Szpilrajn-type theorems in economics," MPRA Paper 14345, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Andrew McKay & Oliver Morrissey & Charlotte Vaillant, 1998. "Aggregate Export and Food Crop Supply Response in Tanzania," Discussion Papers 98/4, University of Nottingham, CREDIT.
    3. Athanasios Andrikopoulos, 2017. "Generalizations of Szpilrajn's Theorem in economic and game theories," Papers 1708.04711, arXiv.org.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D60 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - General
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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