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A multidimensional Lorenz dominance relation

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Abstract

This paper seeks to extend the unidimensional notion of Lorenz dominance to the multidimensional context. It formulates a definition of a multidimensional Lorenz dominance relation (MLDR) on the set of alternative distributions of well-being in an economy by incorporating a generalization of the well-known transfer principle of unidimensional theory suggested in recent literature. It also proposes two conditions which an MLDR may reasonably be required to satisfy. The paper notes that the existing literature does not seem to contain an example of an MLDR satisfying these two conditions and suggests one that does. The suggested MLDR does not seem to have appeared in the literature before.

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Acknowledgments

For insightful comments on an earlier version of the paper I am extremely grateful to two anonymous referees. Thanks are also due to the participants in the North American Summer Meeting of the Econometric Society, June 9–12, 2011, Washington University at St. Louis, MO where that version was presented. Needless to say, none of the above-mentioned is responsible for any error that the paper may contain.

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Correspondence to Asis Kumar Banerjee.

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Banerjee, A.K. A multidimensional Lorenz dominance relation. Soc Choice Welf 42, 171–191 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00355-013-0722-6

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