A simple proof of Suzumura's extension theorem for finite domains with applications (Q1428290)

Summary: We provide a simple proof of the extension theorem for partial orderings due to \textit{K. Suzumura} [Rational choice, collective decisions and social welfare, Cambridge University Press (1983)] when the domain of the partial order is finite. The extension theorem due to \textit{E. Szpilrajn} [``Sur l'extension de l'ordre partiel'', Fundam. Math. 16, 386--389 (1930; JFM 56.0843.02)] follows from this theorem. Szpilrajn's extension theorem is used to show that an asymmetric binary relation is contained in the asymmetric part of a linear order if and only if it is acyclic. This theorem is then applied to prove three results. Finally, we introduce the concept of a threshold choice function, and our third result says that such choice functions are the only ones to satisfy a property called functional acyclicity.