Abstract
The idea of a community indifference curve, as the term is commonly used, is due to Scitovsky (1942). The genesis of the idea is the fact that comparative statics and welfare analysis in economic models is simplified considerably if there is a social preference ordering over aggregate commodity bundles which reflects the collective individual preferences of agents. Scitovksy’s notion of a ‘community indifference curve’ essentially allows the analytical convenience of social indifference curves, in certain circumstances, without having to assume a specific Bergson–Samuelson social welfare function or having to assume the restrictive assumptions on agents’ preferences needed to guarantee that agents act collectively as a single individual.
Keywords
- Bergson–Samuelson social welfare functions
- Community indifference curves
- Comparative statics
- Scitovsky, T.
- Utility possibility frontiers
JEL Classifications
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsBibliography
Samuelson, P.A. 1956. Social indifference curves. Quarterly Journal of Economics 70 (1): 1–22.
Scitovsky, T. 1942. A reconsideration of the theory of tariffs. Review of Economic Studies 9 (2): 89–110.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Copyright information
© 2018 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.
About this entry
Cite this entry
Shafer, W. (2018). Community Indifference Curves. In: The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95189-5_689
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95189-5_689
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-95188-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-95189-5
eBook Packages: Economics and FinanceReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences