Title
The undercut procedure: an algorithm for the envy-free division of indivisible items
Abstract
We propose a procedure for dividing a set of indivisible items between two players. We assume that each player’s preference over subsets of items is consistent with a strict ranking of the items, and that neither player has information about the other’s preferences. Our procedure ensures an envy-free division—each player receives a subset of items that it values more than the other player’s complementary subset—given that an envy-free division of “contested items,” which the players would choose at the same time, is possible. We show that the possibility of one player’s undercutting the other’s proposal, and implementing the reduced subset for himself or herself, makes the proposer “reasonable,” and generally leads to an envy-free division, even when the players rank items exactly the same. Although the undercut procedure is manipulable and its envy-free allocation may be Pareto-inferior, each player’s maximin strategy is to be truthful. Applications of the procedure are discussed briefly.
Year
DOI
Venue
2012
10.1007/s00355-011-0599-1
Social Choice and Welfare
Keywords
DocType
Volume
Nash Equilibrium, Fair Division, Extension Monotonicity, Strict Ranking, Feasible Subset
Journal
39
Issue
ISSN
Citations 
2-3
1432-217X
20
PageRank 
References 
Authors
1.63
4
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Steven J. Brams116930.92
D. Marc Kilgour257170.61
Christian Klamler39613.14