Monotone Comparative Statics: Geometric Approach

We consider the comparative statics of solutions to parameterized optimization problems. A geometric method is developed for finding a vector field that, at each point in the parameter space, indicates a direction in which monotone comparative statics obtains. Given such a vector field, we provide sufficient conditions under which the problem can be reparameterized on the parameter space (or a subset thereof) in a way that guarantees monotone comparative statics. A key feature of our method is that it does not require the feasible set to be a lattice and works in the absence of the standard quasi-supermodularity and single-crossing assumptions on the objective function. We illustrate our approach with a variety of applications. We are grateful to Kenneth Arrow, Darrell Duffie, David Luenberger, Paul Milgrom, John Quah, and Pete Veinott for helpful comments. Research in part supported by a David Morgenthaler II Faculty Scholar Award.