Consider a social welfare function (SWF) defined as , where is the utility of the person and there are people. Identify which one of the following statements is CORRECT.
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2 marks, −0.667MicroeconomicsWelfare economics and social choiceSocial welfare functions and social choiceModerateabout 2 min
IIT JAM 2026 Question 15: Welfare economics and social choice
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Consider a social welfare function (SWF) defined as SWF=f(U₁,U₂,…,Uₘ), where Uᵢ is the utility of the i^(th) person and there are m people. Identify which one of the following statements is CORRECT. (A) Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill proposed SWF=Σᵢ₌₁^m wᵢ Uᵢ with distinct weights w₁≠ w₂≠⋯≠ wₘ. (B) Since SWF reflects value judgements, interpersonal comparisons can be made on scientific grounds. (C) John Rawls proposed SWF=maximum{U₁,U₂,…,Uₘ}. (D) If SWF=Σᵢ₌₁^m Uᵢ, it is referred as the utilitarian function.
Also written as: Consider a social welfare function (SWF) defined as SWF=f(U_1,U_2,...,U_m), where U_i is the utility of the i^(th) person and there are m people. Identify which one of the following statements is CORRECT.
Welfare economics and social choice has come up 62 times in 6 exams since 2004.
What this question tests
This question is on Social welfare functions and social choice, part of Welfare economics and social choice in Microeconomics.
Combining individual preferences into social judgements, and the limits of doing so.
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