A Primer in Social Choice Theory

Processes of collective decision making are seen throughout modern society. How does a government decide on an investment strategy within the health care and educational sectors? Should a government or a community introduce measures to combat climate change and CO2 emissions, even if others choose not too? Should a country develop a nuclear capability despite the risk that other countries may follow their lead?

This introductory text explores the theory of social choice. Social choice theory provides an analysis of collective decision making. The main aim of the book is to introduce students to the various methods of aggregating the preferences of all members of a given society into some social or collective preference. Written as a primer suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduates, this text will act as an important starting point for students grappling with the complexities of social choice theory. With all new chapter exercises this rigorous yet accessible primer avoids the use of technical language and provides an up-to-date discussion of this rapidly developing field.

Wulf Gaertner is Professor of Economics at the University of Osnabri??ck in Germany and Fellow of Wissenschaftskolleg, Berlin. He has held several visiting posts at Tulane University, Harvard University, and the London School of Economics and Political Science, and was the recipient of the Ludwig Lachmann Research Fellowship from the LSE for the period 2006-2008. Professor Gaertner is also one of the managing editors of the journal, Social Choice and Welfare.