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This paper appeared in 1992 in Economic Theory and International Trade, edited by Wilhelm Neuefeind. This is a memorial volume for my friend and colleague, Trout Rader--a man whom I admired greatly and from whom I learned a lot.

Download the Paper (282 K, PDF file) - July 1, 2003 Tell a colleague about it. Printing Tips: Select 'print as image' in the Acrobat print dialog if you have trouble printing.

ABSTRACT:
The paper generalizes theorems of Ky Fan and Hugo Sonnenschein on the existence of maximal elements for non-transitive relations. I used these results to show that a binary relation could be constructed whose maximal element must be a competitive equilibrium. Thus proving the existence of competitive equilibrium under somewhat more general conditions than had been done previously. In 1975, I thought this was a useful extension of the Gale Mas Collel existence theorem. Journal referees then didn't agree with me, so I let it ripen in my desk for 15 years. I still think it is worth looking at if you are interested in the existence of competitive equilibrium or in maximization of funny preference orderings.

SUGGESTED CITATION:
Ted Bergstrom, "When Non-transitive Relations Take Maxima and Competitive Equilibria Can't Be Beat" (July 1, 2003). Department of Economics, UCSB. Ted Bergstrom. Paper 1992A.
http://repositories.cdlib.org/ucsbecon/bergstrom/1992A