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Utilitarianism for infinite utility streams: summable differences and finite averages

Author

Listed:
  • Jonsson, Adam

    (Department of Engineering Science and Mathematics)

  • Voorneveld, Mark

    (Dept. of Economics, Stockholm School of Economics)

Abstract

This paper provides axiomatic descriptions of social welfare relations, defined on infinite streams of utility, that are consistent with the utilitarian criterion on subsets where maximizing aggregate utility has a clear interpretation: the streams, or their differences, are summable. Besides standard assumptions on efficiency, equity and interpersonal comparability, two axioms are introduced and shown to be necessary and sufficient. A more general version of one axiom suffices to distinguish streams with different long-run averages.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonsson, Adam & Voorneveld, Mark, 2014. "Utilitarianism for infinite utility streams: summable differences and finite averages," SSE/EFI Working Paper Series in Economics and Finance 747, Stockholm School of Economics, revised 15 Apr 2014.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:hastef:0747
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Basu, Kaushik & Mitra, Tapan, 2007. "Utilitarianism for infinite utility streams: A new welfare criterion and its axiomatic characterization," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 133(1), pages 350-373, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jonsson, Adam & Voorneveld, Mark, 2018. "The limit of discounted utilitarianism," Theoretical Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 13(1), January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Intergenerational equity; aggregating infinite utility streams; ethical social welfare relations;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • D70 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - General
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General

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