What is a covariant derivative? (Q810887)

In the comprehensive introduction the author, considering different approaches to supergravity, comes to the conclusion that the question of renormalizability of supergravity is still open. In order to solve this problem one shall have a formulation in which all constraints are derived from an action principle that is invariant under an appropriate local algebra. This paper presents an action principle, invariant under a local super Poincaré algebra, from which a weakened form of the Wess-Zumino torsion constraints follows automatically. The minimal coupling of the supergravity to matter is also considered. This consideration shows that torsion constraints are necessary for the exclusion of ghosts from the matter sector.