Abstract.
This is a study of the axiomatic method and its recent applications to game theory and resource allocation. It begins with a user's guide. This guide first describes the components of an axiomatic study, discusses the logical and conceptual independence of the axioms in a characterization, exposes mistakes that are often made in the formulation of axioms, and emphasizes the importance of seeing each axiomatic study from the perspective of the axiomatic program. It closes with a schematic presentation of this program. The second part of this study discusses the scope of the axiomatic method and briefly presents a number of models where its use have been particularly successful. It presents alternatives to the axiomatic method and answers criticisms often addressed at the axiomatic method. It delimits the scope of the method and illustrates its relevance to the study of resource allocation and the study of strategic interaction. Finally, it provides extensive illustrations of the considerable recent success that the method has met in the study of a number of new models.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 29 September 1998/Accepted: 29 January 2000
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Thomson, W. On the axiomatic method and its recent applications to game theory and resource allocation. Soc Choice Welfare 18, 327–386 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003550100106
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003550100106