The Maximin Share Dominance Relation

Abstract: Given a finite set $X$ and an ordering $\succeq$ over its subsets, the $l$-out-of-$d$ maximin-share of $X$ is the maximal (by $\succeq$) subset of $X$ that can be constructed by partitioning $X$ into $d$ parts and picking the worst union of $l$ parts. A pair of integers $(l,d)$ dominates a pair $(l',d')$ if, for any set $X$ and ordering $\succeq$, the $l$-out-of-$d$ maximin-share of $X$ is at least as good (by $\succeq$) as the $l'$-out-of-$d'$ maximin-share of $X$. This note presents a necessary and sufficient condition for deciding whether a given pair of integers dominates another pair, and an algorithm for finding all non-dominated pairs. It compares the $l$-out-of-$d$ maximin-share to some other criteria for fair allocation of indivisible objects among people with different entitlements.