The problem of social choice is the central theme of this study. Our main objective is to prove the existence of a social welfare function in order to put to rest the doctrine of 'natural liberty.' We reject most of the recently suggested solutions to the problem on the basis that they are either incomplete or inconsistent. Our proposed social welfare function is along the utilitarian line. Ratio-scale interpersonal comparisons of cardinal utilities are used to prove its existence. If we are allowed to define utilitarianism more broadly, then our social welfare function will also be unique. Finally, the study argues strongly for more positive action on the part of the government to rectify social injustice.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.72066 |
| Date | January 1985 |
| Creators | Li, Cheuk Ming. |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Doctor of Philosophy (Department of Economics.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 000226184, proquestno: AAINL24069, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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