Intermediate Microeconomics

Reviews / Votes

'This innovative book will open students' eyes to important critical views and alternative policy perspectives that are not found in standard textbooks on intermediate micro theory. The book starts with foundational questions about conventional assumptions regarding rational behavior (do consumers really "maximize utility"?), price determination (are prices actually set by "supply-and-demand"?), and the market system (is it truly an "efficient" allocative mechanism?). The book then addresses a series of current issues including the origins of inequality, the regulation of big business, labor and environmental policies, and the role of the government in the economy more broadly. This volume, which brings together contributions by leading experts in the field, promises to enliven and even revolutionize the teaching of microeconomics for years to come.' -- Robert A. Blecker, American University, Washington DC, USA 'This is an excellent compendium of chapters written by a mix of highly well-known authors and young upcoming scholars. Not only do the authors confront the mainstream view on key microeconomic principles and on several of its practical extensions, they also provide fascinating alternatives, either based on well-recognized theories promoted by non-mainstream economists or based on new and original analyses. The book is a highly useful tool to promote discussions among students and to engage them into economic theory and economic policy debates. After they have read this book, students will never look at microeconomics in the same way.' -- Marc Lavoie, University of Ottawa, Canada and University Sorbonne Paris Nord, France 'This volume offers a fascinating set of contributions in intermediate microeconomics that open students' eyes to critiques of conventional theory, while also centering alternative approaches to core topics, including price determination, distribution, the environment, regulation, and labor market policy. In doing so, it provides a unique and exciting set of tools for understanding the economy and contemporary policy that will stimulate classroom discussions and equip students to think critically about conventional assumptions while building well-reasoned alternatives.' -- Leila E. Davis, University of Massachusetts Boston, USA 'For many, many years, most introductory/intermediate microeconomics courses have started from an organising narrative of the efficiency advantages of general equilibrium in perfectly competitive product, labour and capital markets. This volume raises the fundamental questions that this neo-classical (a.k.a. "mainstream") paradigm cannot answer, by presenting the heterodox alternatives and showing why they matter. Critical thinkers will enjoy this volume.' -- Lars Osberg, Dalhousie University, Canada