On amenability of group algebras. I. (Q1001423)

The amenability of discrete groups \(G\) was introduced by \textit{J. von Neumann} [Zusatz zur Arbeit ``Zur allgemeinen Theorie des Masses'', Fund. Math. 13, 333 (1929; JFM 55.0151.02)]. For affine algebras this notion appears in [\textit{G. Elek}, J. Algebra 264, No. 2, 469--478 (2003; Zbl 1022.43001)]. Observe that the set \(X\) is said to be a right \(G\)-set if \(G\) acts on the right on the elements of \(X\). In the present paper the author considers distinct equivalent definitions of amenable \(G\)-sets and studies the amenability of algebras and modules, based on the notion of almost-invariant finite-dimensional subspace. He shows that if \(K\) is any field and \(X\) is a right \(G\)-set, then \(X\) is amenable if and only if its linear span \(KX\) is amenable as a \(KG\)-module. In particular, the group \(G\) is amenable if and only if its group algebra \(KG\) is amenable. Finally, the author discusses the relation between the notions amenable and exhaustively amenable sets and modules. It is shown that for group algebras these notions are equivalent.