The tyranny of non-aggregation versus the tyranny of aggregation in social choices : a real dilemma

Abstract

Can a trifle gain to sufficiently many well-off justify imposing a much larger sacrifice on the worst-off? We show that if one answers negatively to such a question, one is forced to accept the maximin principle and give full priority to the worst-off even when a trifle gain to the worst-off imposes a substantial sacrifice on arbitrarily many well-off. If one dislikes this consequence, one faces a real dilemma in choosing between the tyranny of aggregation and the tyranny of non-aggregation.