Econometrica: Apr, 1966, Volume 34, Issue 2

A Possibility Theorem on Majority Decisions

https://doi.org/0012-9682(196604)34:2<491:APTOMD>2.0.CO;2-C
p. 491-499

Amartya K. Sen

In this note we show the consistency of majority decisions under preference conditions that are more general than Single-Peaked Preferences (Arrow [1], Black [2]), Single-Caved Preferences (Inada [5]), Preferences separable into Two Groups (Inada [5]), and Latin-Square-less Preferences (Ward [12]). In the first part of the note, the underlying concepts and approach are introduced; in the second part the theorem is stated and proved; and in the third part its relationship with other sufficiency conditions is discussed.