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Let $k$ be a field. In 1984 Andreas Blass proved that the axiom "for every extension $K|k$, every vector space over $K$ has a basis" implies the axiom of choice. He also raised the question

Does the axiom "every vector space over $k$ has a basis" imply the axiom of choice ?

What's the current status of the question ? Has there been progress ?

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  • $\begingroup$ This has come up before: mathoverflow.net/questions/64219 $\endgroup$ Jun 27, 2011 at 18:22
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    $\begingroup$ @Bruce: The two questions are clearly different. $\endgroup$ Jun 27, 2011 at 18:31
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    $\begingroup$ Right -- Andreas even says toward the end of the note that the question is open for specific fields like the rationals. I hope that anyone else who votes to close this question leaves a note as to why it should be closed. $\endgroup$
    – Todd Trimble
    Jun 27, 2011 at 18:53
  • $\begingroup$ I stand corrected. $\endgroup$ Jun 27, 2011 at 19:44
  • $\begingroup$ @Asaf: Thanks. Perhaps you can add references and post it as answer. $\endgroup$
    – Ralph
    Jun 27, 2011 at 19:55

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It has been shown for $K=\mathbb F_2$ (the field with two elements) by Keremedis (Available here)

In the dictionary of AC equivalences it shows that not a lot is known on the connection between the existence of a basis over a fixed field and the axiom of choice.

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    $\begingroup$ As far as I can see, Keremedis shows that AC is equivalent to “every generating set of a vector space over $\mathbb F_2$ contains a basis”, which is a stronger statement than “every vector space over $\mathbb F_2$ has a basis”. $\endgroup$ Aug 30, 2011 at 15:12
  • $\begingroup$ Do you mean 'weaker'? $\endgroup$ Apr 10, 2012 at 15:03
  • $\begingroup$ @JanVeselý, no, because every vector space has a generating set (itself!). $\endgroup$
    – LSpice
    Apr 9, 2018 at 17:05
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    $\begingroup$ @Asaf: Your link to the “dictionary of AC equivalences” is now broken — the server consequences.emich.edu seems to be dead/unresponsive. Do you know if the dictionary is still live at some other URL, or can you recall more details (e.g. author, precise title) to help others locate it? $\endgroup$ Nov 18, 2022 at 15:39
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    $\begingroup$ @Peter: There is a new version written by Ioanna Dimitriou: cgraph.inters.co $\endgroup$
    – Asaf Karagila
    Nov 18, 2022 at 15:42

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