The Researches on Path Independence Problem

Rationality condition is imposed in Arrow's General Possibility Theorem in order for social choice to be independent of the path of choice. In this Paper, emphasis is laid on the analysis of the relevance of path independence and rationality condition. Two kinds of Path independence, i.e., Plott's path independence and Bandyopadhyay's sequential path independence, are shown, and their meanings with respect to the problem are investigated.