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We provide a nonparametric revealed preference approach to demand analysis based on homothetic efficiency. Homotheticity is widely assumed (often implicitly) because it is a convenient and often useful restriction. However, this assumption is rarely tested, and data rarely satisfy testable conditions. To overcome this, we provide a way to estimate homothetic efficiency of consumption choices. The method provides considerably higher discriminatory power against random behavior than the commonly used Afriat efficiency. We use experimental and household survey data to illustrate how our approach is useful for different empirical applications and can provide greater predictive success.

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We propose an instrument to measure individuals' social preferences regarding equity and efficiency behind a veil of ignorance. We pair portfolio and wealth distribution choice problems which have a common budget set. For a given bundle, the distribution over an individual's wealth is the same for both problems. The portfolio choice serves as a benchmark to evaluate whether the wealth distribution choice exhibits equity or efficiency preferring tastes. We report experiments using a within-subject design testing the veracity of this instrument. We find clusters of equity preferring, efficiency preferring, and socially agnostic individuals through reduced form, revealed preference, and structural estimation analyses.