Integer solutions to bankruptcy problems: The IPROP solution

Abstract

A widely studied problem is that of a bankruptcy, where several agents claim different amounts of a resource, the estate , that is not enough to satisfy all claims. In some occurrences, the estate is made by integer unities: several contributors (among them also the authors) have proposed different approaches related to some of the classical apportionment rules. In this paper, we analyze the possibility of extending the proportional method to the integer situation which occurs, typically, when the seats in a Parliament are assigned according to a proportional electoral law: our aim is to provide an approach, different from the usual round, and give rests strategy (which may lead to paradoxes), enough intuitive and easily applicable.