Routledge Readings in Applied Microeconomics: The Power of the Market

A central concern of economics is how society allocates its resources. Modern economies rely on two institutions to allocate: markets and governments. But how much of the allocating should be performed by markets and how much by governments? This collection of readings will help students appreciate the power of the market. It supplements theoretical explanations of how markets work with concrete examples, addresses questions about whether markets actually work well and offers evidence that supposed "market failures" are not as serious as claimed. Featuring readings from Hayek, William Baumol, Harold Demsetz, Daniel Fischel and Edward Lazear, Benjamin Klein and Keith B. Leffler, Stanley J. Liebowitz and Stephen E. Margolis, and John R. Lott, Jr., this book covers key topics such as: • Why markets are efficient allocators • How markets foster economic growth • Property rights • How markets choose standards • Asymmetric Information • Whether firms abuse their power • Non-excludable goods • Monopolies The selections should be comprehended by undergraduate students who have had an introductory course in economics. This reader can also be used as a supplement for courses in intermediate microeconomics, industrial organization, business and government, law and economics, and public policy. Review "This text is a much overdue supplementary book to help students understand the role and the power of the market. I believe this book can help dispel some of the myths surrounding capitalism and how markets operate. I foresee this content generating much discussion in the classroom on important economic issues." - Claudia R. Williamson, West Virginia University. "This volume is a compilation of classic and persuasive articles that lend insight into the operation of the market process. Each article is a classic on its own, but the compilation is much more powerful in its message than the sum of the individual articles. Readers will come away with a great appreciation for the way that the market mechanism coordinates the economic activities of people around the globe for the benefit of everyone." - Randall G. Holcombe, Florida State University About the Author Craig M. Newmark is Associate Professor of Economics at North Carolina State University.