Permutation invariance (Q2496152)

The concepts of a \(\beta \)-closed system \(H\) of subsets on \(E\), of a consensus function \(C\) on \(W\) and of a profile \(P\) of \(H\) are introduced in the paper. Let \(W\) be a collection of \(\beta \)-closed systems on \(E\) with a consensus function \(C\). Then \(C\) is permutation invariant if for any permutation \(\sigma \) of \(E\) and any profile \(P\), \(P=\sigma P\) implies \(C(P)=\sigma C(P)\). The concept of permutation invariance describes properties of clusters. Versions of Arrow's seminal theorem on weak orders have been established in many different contexts. A general model is presented here, in which many of these results are embedded. The model includes versions of independence of irrelevant alternatives and notions relating to invariance under action of certain permutations of the underlying set.