The mass transfer approach to multivariate discrete first order stochastic dominance: direct proof and implications

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  • Lars Peter Raahave Østerdal
A fundamental result in the theory of stochastic dominance tells that first order dominance between two finite multivariate distributions is equivalent to the property that the one can be obtained from the other by shifting probability mass from one outcome to another that is worse a finite number of times. This paper provides a new and elementary proof of that result by showing that starting with an arbitrary system of mass transfers, whenever the resulting distribution is first order dominated one can gradually rearrange transfers, according to a certain decentralized procedure, and obtain a system of transfers all shifting mass to outcomes that are worse.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Mathematical Economics
Volume46
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)1222-1228
Number of pages7
ISSN0304-4068
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2010

    Research areas

  • Faculty of Social Sciences - multidimensional first degree distributional dominance, usual stochastic order, multivariate majorization, generalized equivalence result

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