In introductory microeconomics textbooks, it is argued that the following three conditions are necessary for the Pareto optimality;
- Exchange Efficiency (MRS must be equal among all individuals)
- Input Efficiency (MRTS must be equal among all firms)
- Output Efficiency (MRS must be equal to MRT for all individuals)
Are they sufficient for Pareto optimality? Where can I find a more rigorous treatment of this discussion?
Following Giskard's suggestion, I consulted MWG and found 16.F helpful. It suggests that under certain conditions, an allocation is Pareto efficient if and only if
- $\frac{\partial u_i/\partial x_{li}}{\partial u_i/\partial x_{l'i}}=\frac{\partial u_{i'}/\partial x_{li'}}{\partial u_{i'}/\partial x_{l'i'}}$ for all $i,i',l,l'$ $\cdots(1)$
- $\frac{\partial F_j/\partial y_{lj}}{\partial F_j/\partial y_{l'j}}=\frac{\partial F_{j'}/\partial y_{lj'}}{\partial F_{j'}/\partial y_{l'j'}}$ for all $j,j',l,l'$$\cdots(2)$
- $\frac{\partial u_i/\partial x_{li}}{\partial u_i/\partial x_{l'i}}=\frac{\partial F_j/\partial y_{lj}}{\partial F_j/\partial y_{l'j}}$ for for all $i,j,l,l'$$\cdots(3)$
where $F_j$ is such that the production set of firm $j$ is $Y_j=\{y:F_j(y) \le 0\}$.
I still need to work on filling the gap between these expressions and the abovementioned three conditions. I will update once I solve it, but I appreciate any help.
It is immediate that (1) is equivalent to Exchange Efficiency.
I assume that when MRTS is discussed it is implicitly assumed that each firm $j$ produces one good ($l_j$). Hence, $F_j(y)=y_{l_j}-f_j(-y_{-l_j})$ for some production function $f_j$. Then MRTS of $l$ for $l'$ ($l,l'\neq l_j$) is $\frac{\partial f_j/\partial y_{lj}}{\partial f_j/\partial y_{l'j}}=\frac{\partial F_j/\partial y_{lj}}{\partial F_j/\partial y_{l'j}}$. Thus, (2) implies Input Efficiency. What about the opposite direction?
We probably need to define $MRTS^j_{ll'}$ when either $l$ or $l'$ is $l_j$, the product of firm $j$. If we define $MRTS^j_{l_jl'}=\frac{1}{\partial f_j/\partial y_{l'}}$ and $MRTS^j_{ll_j}=\partial f_j/\partial y_{l}$, then the equivalence holds. Does this extension of the definition make sense? Does the equalization of MRTS under perfect competition still hold with this extended definition?
- What is the relationship between MRT and $\frac{\partial F_j/\partial y_{lj}}{\partial F_j/\partial y_{l'j}}$?
Given (2), it is intuitive that the market MRT is the same as each firm's MRT, $\frac{\partial F_j/\partial y_{lj}}{\partial F_j/\partial y_{l'j}}$, which implies the equivalence. How can I describe it rigorously?