Abstract
This note demonstrates how certain collective decision methods ensure the selection of alternatives which are the closest to win unanimously. By using four different functions for measuring the distance between preference profiles, we obtain the equivalence between the closeness to unanimity procedure (CUP) and the Borda method, the plurality rule, the probabilistic Borda rule and the L-procedure respectively.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Buchanan, J. M. and Tullock, G.: 1962, The Calculus of Consent, Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
Farkas, D. and Nitzan, S.: 1979, ‘The Borda Rule and Pareto Stability’, Econometrica 47, 1305–6.
Hammond, P. J.: 1976, ‘Equity, Arrow's Conditions and Rawls' Difference Principle’, Econometrica 44, 793–804.
Intriligator, M. D.: 1973, ‘A Probabilistic Model of Social Choice’, Review of Economic Studies 40, 553–9.
May, K.: 1952, ‘A Set of Independent Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Simple Majority Decision’, Econometrica 20, 680–4.
Sen, A. K., 1977, ‘Social Choice Theory: A Re-Examination’, Econometrica 45, 53–89.
Wicksell, K.: 1958, Financtheoretische Untersuchungen und das Steuerwesen Schweden's, Jena, Germany, 1896. English translation: R. A. Musgrave and A. T. Peacock (eds.), Classics in the Theory of Public Finance, International Economic Association, Macmillan & Co. Ltd., London.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nitzan, S. Some measures of closeness to unanimity and their implications. Theor Decis 13, 129–138 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00134214
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00134214