Reaching consensus through approval bargaining

In the Approval Bargaining game, two players bargain over a finite set of alternatives. To this end, each one simultaneously submits a utility function u jointly with a real number α; by doing so she approves the lotteries whose expected utility according to u is at least α. The lottery to be implemented is randomly selected among the most approved ones. We first prove that there is an equilibrium where players truthfully reveal their utility function. We also show that, in any equilibrium, the equilibrium outcome is approved by both players. Finally, every equilibrium is sincere and Pareto efficient as long as both players are partially honest.

[1]  M. Jackson Implementation in Undominated Strategies: A Look at Bounded Mechanisms , 1992 .

[2]  Steven J. Brams,et al.  Mathematics and democracy: Designing better voting and fair-division procedures , 2008, Math. Comput. Model..

[3]  Jean-François Laslier,et al.  Handbook on approval voting , 2010 .

[4]  A. Rubinstein,et al.  Bargaining and Markets , 1991 .

[5]  Navin Kartik,et al.  Simple mechanisms and preferences for honesty , 2014, Games Econ. Behav..

[6]  E. Maskin Nash Equilibrium and Welfare Optimality , 1999 .

[7]  John. Moore,et al.  Nash Implementation: A Full Characterization , 1990 .

[8]  Jean-François Laslier,et al.  Bargaining through Approval , 2015 .

[9]  J. Nash Two-Person Cooperative Games , 1953 .

[10]  Yakov Babichenko,et al.  One-Shot Bargaining Mechanisms , 2016 .

[11]  Juan Matias Ortner Direct Implementation with Minimally Honest Individuals , 2010 .

[12]  A. Rubinstein Perfect Equilibrium in a Bargaining Model , 1982 .

[13]  Hitoshi Matsushima,et al.  Role of honesty in full implementation , 2008, J. Econ. Theory.

[14]  Patrick Billingsley,et al.  Probability and Measure. , 1986 .

[15]  Francesca Busetto,et al.  Reconsidering two-agent Nash implementation , 2009, Soc. Choice Welf..

[16]  Hitoshi Matsushima,et al.  Behavioral Aspects of Implementation Theory , 2008 .

[17]  Matías Núñez,et al.  The strategic sincerity of Approval voting , 2014 .

[18]  Arunava Sen,et al.  A Necessary and Sufficient Condition for Two-Person Nash Implementation , 1991 .

[19]  Arunava Sen,et al.  Nash implementation with partially honest individuals , 2012, Games Econ. Behav..

[20]  Samuel Merrill,et al.  The Effect of Approval Balloting on Strategic Voting under Alternative Decision Rules , 1987, American Political Science Review.

[21]  Matías Núñez Threshold voting leads to Type-Revelation , 2015 .

[22]  Barton L. Lipman,et al.  Provision of Public Goods: Fully Implementing the Core through Private Contributions , 1989 .

[23]  Navin Kartik,et al.  Implementation with Evidence , 2012 .