General Equilibrium Theory has been one of the major intellectual developments in economics during the past half-century. The theory of general equilibrium is centred on an inquiry about human societies which has several of the characteristics of a fundamental scientific question. In an economy, a multitude of agents produce, exchange, and consume a large number of commodities. Their decisions are independent of each other and dictated by self-interest. Attempting to answer the question 'Why is social chaos not the result?' has required an intensive research effort by several generations of leading economists.This important three volume set gathers together many of the articles that have played an influential role in the history of ideas in the general equilibrium area in the contemporary period.

Back in the good old days on the fourth floor of the Altbau of Bonn's Ju ridicum, Werner Hildenbrand put an end to a debate about a festschrift in honor of an economist on the occasion of his turning 60 with a laconic: "Much too early." Remembering his position five years ago, we did not dare to think about one for him. But now he has turned 65. If consulted, he would most likely still answer: "Much too early." However, he has to take his official re tirement, and we believe that this is the right moment for such an endeavor. No doubt Werner Hildenbrand will not really retire. As professor emeritus, free from the constraints of a rigid teaching schedule and the burden of com mittee meetings, he will be able to indulge his passions. We expect him to pursue, with undiminished enthusiasm, his research, travel, golfing, the arts, and culinary pleasures - escaping real retirement."

This volume covers a large range of interesting topics from many areas of economics ranging from conceptual and methodological foundations of economic theory to theoretical and empirical demand analysis. It includes articles on the economics of the public sector, of network industries, and of imperfect competition; on general equilibrium analysis and game theory; and on experimental, monetary, and financial economics. Papers presenting original research are supplemented by stimulating surveys. They together offer a broad spectrum for professional economists and doctoral students alike. Among the authors are some of the world`s leading economists including two Nobel Laureates.

These twenty papers were selected by the author, who received the Nobel Prize in 1983. The book includes a major introduction by Werner Hildenbrand, who assesses Professor Debreu's contribution to economic theory and explains the part played by these papers in the development of the subject.

Kenneth Arrow and Gerard Debreu have throughout their careers continuously produced ideas at the very frontier of economics. Together, they have made unparalleled contributions on the properties of general equilibrium systems in economics, the study of collective choice and welfare economics. The editors have shown their usual rigor in selecting those papers which, in their view, have made the most important contributions in their particular areas of expertise. This volume will be an essential source of reference for students, researchers and practitioners alike.

"[This] beautiful and austere book . . . [is] an important landmark of economic theory."-F.H. Hahn, Journal of Political Economy "An immortal classic of twentieth century economics. Every economist should own a copy."-Robert Lucas, University of Chicago Theory of Value offers a rigorous, axiomatic, and formal analysis of producer behavior, consumer behavior, general equilibrium, and the optimality of the market mechanism for resource allocation.