A Noncooperative Support for Equal Division in Estate Division Problems

Abstract

We consider estate division problems, a generalization of bankruptcy problems. We show that in a direct revelation claim game, if the underlying division rule satisfies efficiency, equal treatment of equals, and weak order preservation, then all (pure strategy) Nash equilibria induce equal division. Next, we consider division rules satisfying efficiency, equal treatment of equals, and claims monotonicity. For claim games with at most three agents, again all Nash equilibria induce equal division. Surprisingly, this result does not extend to claim games with more than three agents. However, if nonbossiness is added, then equal division is restored.Bankruptcy/estate division problems, claims monotonicity, direct revelation claim game, equal division, equal treatment of equals, Nash equilibria, nonbossiness, (weak) order preservation.