Abstract
The rationalizability of a choice function by means of a transitive relation has been analyzed thoroughly in the literature. However, not much seems to be known when transitivity is weakened to quasi-transitivity or acyclicity. Such weakenings are particularly relevant in the context of social choice. We describe the logical relationships between the different notions of rationalizability involving, for example, the transitivity, quasi-transitivity, or acyclicity of the rationalizing relation. Furthermore, we discuss sufficient conditions and necessary conditions for rational choice on arbitrary domains. Transitive, quasi-transitive, and acyclical rationalizability are fully characterized for domains that contain all singletons and all two-element subsets of the universal set.
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Bossert, W., Sprumont, Y. & Suzumura, K. Rationalizability of choice functions on general domains without full transitivity. Soc Choice Welfare 27, 435–458 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00355-006-0132-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00355-006-0132-0