Lecture Notes in Microeconomic Theory: The Economic Agent - Second Edition

by Ariel Rubinstein

Overview

Ariel Rubinstein's well-known lecture notes on microeconomics—now fully revised and expanded

This book presents Ariel Rubinstein's lecture notes for the first part of his well-known graduate course in microeconomics. Developed during the fifteen years that Rubinstein taught the course at Tel Aviv University, Princeton University, and New York University, these notes provide a critical assessment of models of rational economic agents, and are an invaluable supplement to any primary textbook in microeconomic theory.

In this fully revised and expanded second edition, Rubinstein retains the striking originality and deep simplicity that characterize his famously engaging style of teaching. He presents these lecture notes with a precision that gets to the core of the material, and he places special emphasis on the interpretation of key concepts. Rubinstein brings this concise book thoroughly up to date, covering topics like modern choice theory and including dozens of original new problems.

Written by one of the world's most respected and provocative economic theorists, this second edition of Lecture Notes in Microeconomic Theory is essential reading for students, teachers, and research economists.

• Fully revised, expanded, and updated


• Retains the engaging style and method of Rubinstein's well-known lectures


• Covers topics like modern choice theory


• Features numerous original new problems—including 21 new review problems


• Solutions manual (available only to teachers) can be found at: http://gametheory.tau.ac.il/microTheory/.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781400842469
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	03/04/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	168
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Ariel Rubinstein is professor of economics at Tel Aviv University and New York University. He is the author of Economics and Language and Modeling Bounded Rationality and the coauthor of A Course in Game Theory and Bargaining and Markets.

Table of Contents

Preface vii
Introduction ix


Lecture 1. Preferences 1
Problem Set 1 10
Lecture 2. Utility 12
Problem Set 2 20
Lecture 3. Choice 23
Problem Set 3 41
Lecture 4. Consumer Preferences 45
Problem Set 4 58
Lecture 5. Demand: Consumer Choice 60
Problem Set 5 73
Lecture 6. Choice over Budget Sets and the Dual Consumer 75
Problem Set 6 82
Lecture 7. The Producer 85
Problem Set 7 92
Lecture 8. Expected Utility 94
Problem Set 8 104
Lecture 9. Risk Aversion 107
Problem Set 9 119
Lecture 10. Social Choice 121
Problem Set 10 128


Review Problems 131
References 147
Index 151

What People are Saying About This

Vincent Crawford

This book will be a valuable addition to the small collection of high-level texts in microeconomics. It is distinguished by Rubinstein's characteristic skill in choice of topics and exposition, and by his unique perspective on economic theory and game theory. At the same time, it will be accessible to a wide range of students.
— Vincent Crawford, Distinguished Professor of Economics, University of California at San Diego

Camerer

Ariel Rubinstein is one of the most thoughtful economic theorists. His lecture notes clearly distinguish between rationality-based models as useful objects of mathematical study, and using other kinds of math to incorporate psychological limits on rationality in a disciplined way. This two-pronged perspective gives the book a distinctive twist. It will be widely used by students and teachers, and its interesting ideas about bounded rationality and behavior are unique.
— Colin F. Camerer, Axline Professor of Business Economics, Caltech, and author of "Behavioral Game Theory" (Princeton/Russell Sage Foundation)

Kreps

Ariel Rubinstein is one of the most original and provocative theorists of his generation. These notes, coming from his teaching of graduate microeconomics, exhibit his originality and clarity of thought. Students interested in mastering the foundations of microeconomics will benefit from studying these notes in conjunction with one of the more standard texts.
— David M. Kreps, Paul E. Holden Professor of Economics, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, and author of "A Course in Microeconomic Theory" (Princeton)

From the Publisher

"Ariel Rubinstein is one of the most original and provocative theorists of his generation. These notes, coming from his teaching of graduate microeconomics, exhibit his originality and clarity of thought. Students interested in mastering the foundations of microeconomics will benefit from studying these notes in conjunction with one of the more standard texts."—David M. Kreps, author of A Course in Microeconomic Theory

"This book will be a valuable addition to the small collection of high-level texts in microeconomics. It is distinguished by Rubinstein's characteristic skill in choice of topics and exposition, and by his unique perspective on economic theory and game theory. At the same time, it will be accessible to a wide range of students."—Vincent Crawford, University of California, San Diego

"Ariel Rubinstein is one of the most thoughtful economic theorists. His lecture notes clearly distinguish between rationality-based models as useful objects of mathematical study, and using other kinds of math to incorporate psychological limits on rationality in a disciplined way. This two-pronged perspective gives the book a distinctive twist. It will be widely used by students and teachers, and its interesting ideas about bounded rationality and behavior are unique."—Colin F. Camerer, author of Behavioral Game Theory

Editorial Reviews

"Rubinstein's very original work could be considered, in a certain sense, the personification of the co-operative and open ghost professor appearing in the student's home or dorm room while the student is reading, waiting patiently and speaking only if asked. . . . [V]ery thought-provoking."—-Ádám Török, Acta Oeconomica

From the Publisher