Robust Implementation in General Mechanisms

42 Pages Posted: 10 Jan 2010

See all articles by Dirk Bergemann

Dirk Bergemann

Yale University - Cowles Foundation - Department of Economics; Yale University - Cowles Foundation

Stephen Morris

MIT

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: January 8, 2010

Abstract

A social choice function is robustly implemented if every equilibrium on every type space achieves outcomes consistent with it. We identify a robust monotonicity condition that is necessary and (with mild extra assumptions) sufficient for robust implementation.

Robust monotonicity is strictly stronger than both Maskin monotonicity (necessary and almost sufficient for complete information implementation) and ex post monotonicity (necessary and almost sufficient for ex post implementation). It is equivalent to Bayesian monotonicity on all type spaces.

Keywords: Mechanism design, Implementation, Robustness, Common knowledge, Interim equilibrium, Dominant strategies

JEL Classification: C79, D82

Suggested Citation

Bergemann, Dirk and Morris, Stephen Edward, Robust Implementation in General Mechanisms (January 8, 2010). Cowles Foundation Discussion Paper No. 1666R, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1533395 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1533395

Dirk Bergemann (Contact Author)

Yale University - Cowles Foundation - Department of Economics ( email )

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Stephen Edward Morris

MIT ( email )

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