According to a minimalist version of Afriat’s theorem, a consumer behaves as a utility maximizer if and only if a feasibility matrix associated with his choices is cyclically consistent. An ”essential experiment” consists of observed consumption bundles (x1,xn) and a feasibility matrix α....

We identify a natural counterpart of the standard GARP for demand data in which goods are all indivisible. We show that the new axiom (DARP, for "discrete axiom of revealed preference") is necessary and sufficient for the rationalization of the data by a well-behaved utility function. Our...

We introduce a class of communication equilibria, which we call self-fulfilling mechanisms, and show that they provide a game-theoretic foundation to rational expectations equilibria. LetEbe an exchange economy with differential information. We associate a strategic market gameΓ(E) withE. We...

La plupart des décisions économiques impliquent des agents qui ne partagent pas la même information. Peut-on décrire synthétiquement l’ensemble des procédures accessibles à un planificateur qui souhaite recueillir l’information des agents et agir en leur nom ? Quels sont les critères...

The article shows how Jean-Francois Mertens contributed to the development of game theory and microeconomics as we know them today. Along with about 80 articles, Mertens's topics go from the formulation of Bayesian decision making in games with incomplete information to the foundations of cost...

A mistake in “Five legitimate definitions of correlated equilibrium (CE) in games with incomplete information” motivates a re-examination of some extensions of the solution concept that Aumann introduced.

Nous considérons la vente aux enchères sous pli scellé au second prix d'un objet que chaque acquéreur potentiel évalue de manière « privée et indépendante ». Nous montrons que l'optimum ex ante d'un cartel, sous contraintes d'incitation et d'équilibre ex post des transferts, coïncide...

If the allocations of a differential information economy are defined as incentive compatible state-contingent lotteries over consumption goods, competitive equilibrium allocations exist and belong to the (ex ante incentive) core. Furthermore, any competitive equilibrium allocation can be viewed...

Afriat proved the equivalence of a variant of the strong axiom of revealed preference and the existence of a solution to a set of linear inequalities. From this solution he constructed a utility function rationalizing the choices of a competitive consumer. We extend Afriat's theorem to a class...