Computing tournament solutions using relation algebra and RelView

Journal article: We describe a simple computing technique for the tournament choice problem. It rests upon relational modeling and uses the BDD-based computer system RelView for the evaluation of the relation-algebraic expressions that specify the solutions and for the visualization of the computed results. The Copeland set can immediately be identified using RelView's labeling feature. Relation-algebraic specifications of the Condorcet non-losers, the Schwartz set, the top cycle, the uncovered set, the minimal covering set, the Banks set, and the tournament equilibrium set are delivered. We present an example of a tournament on a small set of alternatives, for which the above choice sets are computed and visualized via RelView. The technique described in this paper is very flexible and especially appropriate for prototyping and experimentation, and as such very instructive for educational purposes. It can easily be applied to other problems of social choice and game theory.

Author(s)

Rudolf Berghammer, Agnieszka Rusinowska, Harrie de Swart

Journal
  • European Journal of Operational Research
Date of publication
  • 2013
Keywords JEL
C63 C88 D71
Keywords
  • Tournament
  • Relational algebra
  • RelView
  • Copeland set
  • Condorcet non-losers
  • Schwartz set
  • Top cycle
  • Uncovered set
  • Minimal covering set
  • Banks set
  • Tournament equilibrium set
Pages
  • 636-645
Version
  • 1
Volume
  • 226