Bayesian theory for rational individual decision making under uncertainty prescribes that the decision maker define independently a set of beliefs (probability assessments for the states of the world) and a system of values (utilities). The decision is then made by maximizing expected utility. We attempt to generalize the model to group decision making. It is assumed that the group's belief depends only on individual beliefs and the group's values only on individual values, that the belief aggregation procedure respects unanimity, and that the entire procedure guarantees Pareto optimality. We prove that only trivial (dictatorial) aggregation procedures for beliefs are possible.
MLA
Hylland, Aanund, and Richard Zeckhauser. “The Impossibility of Bayesian Group Decision Making with Separate Aggregation of Beliefs and Values.” Econometrica, vol. 47, .no 6, Econometric Society, 1979, pp. 1321-1336, https://www.jstor.org/stable/1914003
Chicago
Hylland, Aanund, and Richard Zeckhauser. “The Impossibility of Bayesian Group Decision Making with Separate Aggregation of Beliefs and Values.” Econometrica, 47, .no 6, (Econometric Society: 1979), 1321-1336. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1914003
APA
Hylland, A., & Zeckhauser, R. (1979). The Impossibility of Bayesian Group Decision Making with Separate Aggregation of Beliefs and Values. Econometrica, 47(6), 1321-1336. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1914003
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Kate Ho, the John L. Weinberg Professor of Economics and Business Policy at Princeton University and a Fellow of the Econometric Society. Kate was a brilliant IO economist and scholar whose impact on the profession will resonate for many years to come.
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