Computation in Economics and Social Choice

3 units

This course covers the mathematical and algorithmic foundations of problems of reconciling agent preferences. By specifying the kinds of agents, alternatives, and objectives, this captures algorithm design problems as diverse as how to sell goods to buyers, how to match medical residents to hospitals, and how to elect representatives to legislatures. Topics include algorithm and mechanism design for the allocation of private goods; choosing public goods and shared alternatives; and participatory budgeting.