Axiomatic Foundations of Multiplier Preferences

Abstract

This paper axiomatizes the robust control criterion of multiplier preferences introduced by Hansen and Sargent (2001). The axiomatization relates multiplier preferences to other classes of preferences studied in decision theory. Some properties of multiplier preferences are generalized to the broader class of variational preferences, recently introduced by Maccheroni, Marinacci and Rustichini (2006). The paper also establishes a link between the parameters of the multiplier criterion and the observable behavior of the agent. This link enables measurement of the parameters on the basis of observable choice data and provides a useful tool for applications.