Benefit function and individual preferences. A generalization of the zero-maximum principle

Authors

  • Juan Aparicio University Miguel Hernandez of Elche, Spain
  • Jesus T. Pastor University Miguel Hernandez of Elche, Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17811/ebl.1.1.2012.12-20

Abstract

In this paper we show that given a utility threshold Luenberger’s benefit function correctly represents individual preferences as long as specific reference commodity bundles are considered. We further show a condition which is sufficient for reaching Pareto optimality that generalizes the zero-maximum principle proposed by Luenberger. Under our hypothesis, the social benefit could be positive, negative or zero, and not necessarily always zero.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Allais, M. (1943) A la Recherche d’une Discipline Economique, 3rd. Ed, (published as Traite d’Economie pure, Clement Juglar, 1994), Paris.

Chambers, R.G. and Färe, R. (1998) Translation homotheticity, Economic Theory, 11, pp. 629-641.

Courtault, J.M., Crettez, B. and Hayek, N. (2007) A Note on Luenberger’s Zero-Maximum Principle for Core Allocations, International Game Theory Review, 9(3), 453-460.

Dierker, E. and Lenninghaus, J. (1986) Surplus maximization and pareto-optimality. In Hildenbrand, W. and Mas-Colell, A. (eds.): Contributions to Mathematical Economics, North Holland: Amsterdam, 143-166.

Edgeworth, F.Y. (1932) Mathematical Psychics, Reprint London School of Economics: London.

Luenberger, D.G. (1992a) Benefit functions and duality, Journal of Mathematical Economics, 21, 461-481.

Luenberger, D.G. (1992b) New optimality principles for economic efficiency and equilibrium, Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, 75(2), 221-264.

Luenberger, D.G. (1995) Microeconomic Theory, McGraw Hill: Boston.

Downloads

Published

22-03-2012

How to Cite

Aparicio, J., & Pastor, J. T. (2012). Benefit function and individual preferences. A generalization of the zero-maximum principle. Economics and Business Letters, 1(1), 12–20. https://doi.org/10.17811/ebl.1.1.2012.12-20

Issue

Section

Articles