Synopses & Reviews
In order to understand the various strands of general equilibrium theory, why it has taken the forms that it has since the time of L on Walras, and to appreciate fully a view of the state of general equilibrium theorising, it is essential to understand Walras's work and examine its influence. The first section of this 2006 book accordingly examines the foundations of Walras's work. These include his philosophical and methodological approach to economic modelling, his views on human nature, and the basic components of his general equilibrium models. The second section examines how the influence of his ideas has been manifested in the theorising of his successors, surveying the models of theorists such as H. L. Moore, Vilfredo Pareto, Knut Wicksell, Gustav Cassel, Abraham Wald, John von Neumann, J. R. Hicks, Kenneth Arrow, and Gerard Debreu. The treatment also examines models of many types in which Walras's influence is explicitly acknowledged.
Synopsis
The book explain the past history and present state of Walrasian general economic equilibrium theory, which incorporates most of microeconomic theory. The treatment examines the foundations of the legacy of Leon Walras, the originator of general equilibrium theory, and his influence as manifested in the work of his successors.
Synopsis
This book is the fullest study available of Leon Walras's influence in economics.
About the Author
Donald A. Walker is University Professor and Professor of Economics Emeritus at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of Walras's Market Models (Cambridge University Press, 1996), Advances in General Equilibrium Theory (1997), and many articles and reviews in professional journals, chapters in collections, and entries in handbooks and encyclopedias. Professor walker is the editor of William Jaffe's Essay's on Walras (Cambridge University Press, 1983), Money and Markets: Essays by Robert W. Clower (Cmabridge University Press, 1984), Equilibrium (3 vols., 2000), The Legacy of Leon Walras (2 vols., 2001), and, with J.-P. Potier, of La Correspondance entre Aline Walras et William Jaffe (2004), among other works. He was President of the History of Economics Society in 1987-1988, Editor of the Journal of the History of Economic Thoughts from 1989-1999, and the first President of the International Walras Society, 1997-2000.
Table of Contents
Part I. Walras's Ideas: 1. General philosophy and methodology; 2. Economic philosophy and methodology; 3. Methods of evaluation of economic theory; 4. Human nature; 5. Basic sub-models; 6. Rationale for the written pledges sketch and its characteristics; 7. Some bibliographical remarks; 8. The definitive bibliography of the writings of Leon Walras; Part II. Walras's Influence: 9. Models constructed by Walras's contemporaries and immediate successors; 10. Models drawing upon the heritage of the written pledges sketch, 1930 to 1971; 11. Concluding comments: Walras's ideas in modern economics.