The author systematically examines one of the important issues of information — establishing the market price. He introduces the concept of «search» — where a buyer wanting to get a better price, is forced to question sellers. The article deals with various aspects of finding the necessary information.

Economics of Information

Time and money: The universals of macroeconomic theorizing☆

SUMMARY

Considerable controversy surrounds the COASE theorem despite the fact that it is generally accepted as valid both in the theory of externalities and the economic analysis of law. A major source of the controversy is the fact that there are a number of versions of the COASE theorem and definitions of transactions costs. It is argued that a proper understanding both of the competitive market model and transaction costs reveals that the COASE theorem is invalid and not part of standard market theory. It is further argued that transaction costs and information costs arising from market uncertainty provide a key to resolving many of the controversies that the theorem has given rise to and following from this that the primary economic function of law in bargaining situations is to increase transaction costs in order to reduce market uncertainty and strategic behaviour.

The coase theorems and the economic theory of markets and law

This paper examines Robert E. Lucas's views on the relationship of macro- economics to real world economic phenomena, and on Keynes's place in its history, suggesting that these stem from a particular and debatable understanding of how the sub- discipline has evolved. It considers some implications for today's awkward economic facts of aspects of Keynes' General Theory, not so much its speculations about the role of psychology and social conventions in the economic decisions of individual agents recently highlighted by Akerlof and Shiller (2009) however, as its insights into the influence of the monetary system on the coordination of these decisions, along lines later extended by Clower (1965) and Leijonhufvud (1968). It concludes that the questions about co-ordination that Keynes addressed, not to mention some of his answers, are well worth revisiting.

https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/70391/1/607491787.pdf

Lucas, Keynes, and the Crisis

This paper examines Robert E. Lucas's views on the relationship of macroeconomics to real world economic phenomena, and on Keynes's place in its history, suggesting that these stem from a particular and debatable understanding of how the subdiscipline has evolved. It considers some implications for today's awkward economic facts of aspects of Keynes' General Theory, not so much its speculations about the role of psychology and social conventions in the economic decisions of individual agents recently highlighted by Akerlof and Shiller (2009) however, as its insights into the influence of the monetary system on the coordination of these decisions, along lines later extended by Clower (1965) and Leijonhufvud (1968). It concludes that the questions about co-ordination that Keynes addressed, not to mention some of his answers, are well worth revisiting.

David Laidler

Papers

Information, Money and the Macro-Economics of Inflation