Description

The scope of the general equilibrium (GE) theory has so far been limited to the Walrasian tradition. Indeed, the theories of competitive equilibria and the core are nothing but the modern mathematical analysis of the economic ideas due to Walras, Edgeworth and Pareto. Consequently, recent books in this field are inclined to be heavily technical and mathematical.

On the other hand, the modern GE theory has not completed the study of increasing returns and monopolistic competition, which belong to the alternative important stream of economic thought, namely the Marshallian tradition. This book aims to fill this gap, by proving the existence of a competitive equilibrium with increasing returns coming from externalities in a dynamic economy and a monopolistically competitive equilibrium with the technologies exhibiting increasing returns coming from a large set-up cost. Also intended as a basic graduate textbook on GE theory, it contains all the basic results and mathematical techniques in this field, such as measure theory, manifold theory and Banach space theory.

A unique feature of the book compared to classical monographs on GE is its emphasis on the historical nature of the subject, and not only the mathematical nature. Students are expected to learn that those mathematically formidable techniques are indeed necessary for tackling many economic problems which have been significant not only in the mathematical or technical context, but also in the historical and traditional context.

Sample Chapter(s)
Chapter 1: 1.1. From the 19th Century to the 1940s (117 KB)