Promotional Information

An extremely impressive synthesis of the ideas that make up modern contract theory. It will undoubtedly be the definitive text on the topic for many years to come. -- Oliver Hart, Andrew E. Furer Professor of Economics, Harvard University Written by two pioneers in organizational economics and finance, this remarkable textbook is comprehensive yet accesible. For many years to come it will be a standard reference for students and researchers, from those advancing our empirical and theoretical knowledge in the field to scholars working in macroeconomics, industrial economics, economics and psychology, and other fields in which contract theory has become an important tool. -- Jean Tirole, Institut d'Economie Industrielle, Toulouse Contract Theory provides the framework for understanding an enormous variety of economic phenomena, from insurance to the firm. Bolton and Dewatripont have long been leading architects of the theory and its application. What is remarkable about their text is how beautifully simple they make it all seem. -- Eric S. Maskin, A.O Hirschman Professor of Social Science, Institute for Advanced Study This is a masterful summary of the last 30 years of economic research on contract theory, written in clear and accessible prose. -- Hal Varian, Haas School of Business and Department of Economics, University of California, Berkeley This much-anticipated book on contract theory by two of the field's pioneers will fill a critical hole in graduate economics teahing. The authors have put much thought into synthesizing established ideas in a way that brings the research frontier up close. Comprehensive and rigorous, yet accesible, the book is bound to become the standard text in intermediate and advanced graduate courses on contract theory. -- Bengt Holmstrom, Paul A. Samuelson Professor of Economics, MIT Contract Theory is certainly the most important textbook on the frontiers of microeconomics since Tirole's celebrated Theory of Industrial Organization. Bolton and Dewatripont have done a marvelous job of providing an exhaustive account of the field, using only very simple and self-contained models and relying on a whole battery of economic applications. All this contributes to making the book not only the unavoidable teaching and research reference on contract theory, but also a unique tribute to economics at its best. -- Philippe Aghion, Department of Economics, Harvard University This is as edifying a course on contract theory as a primer could ever hope to be -- the little book that could. -- Bengt Holmstrom, Paul A. Samuelson Professor of Economics, MIT

About the Author

Patrick Bolton is John H. Scully Professor of Finance at Princeton University and managing editor of The Journal of the European Economic Association.

Mathias Dewatripont is Professor at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles, a Research Fellow at its European Centre for Advanced Research in Economics and Statistics (ECARES), and Research Director of the London-based Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR).

Reviews

"An extremely impressive synthesis of the ideas that make up modern contract theory. It will undoubtedly be the definitive text on the topic for many years to come."--Oliver Hart, Andrew E. Furer Professor of Economics, Harvard University ' Contract Theory is certainly the most important textbook on the frontiers of microeconomics since Tirole's celebrated Theory of Industrial Organization. Bolton and Dewatripont have done a marvelous job of providing an exhaustive account of the field, using only very simple and self-contained models and relying on a whole battery of economic applications. All this contributes to making the book not only the unavoidable teaching and research reference on contract theory, but also a unique tribute to economics at its best.' Philippe Aghion , Department of Economics, Harvard University "Barter is the oldest form of economic exchange, but, in the modern world, it has largely been superseded by monetary and credit transactions. Nevertheless, Dalia Marin and Monika Schnitzer make a compelling and intriguing case that, if planned with care, barter can play a valuable role in both international trade and transitional economies."--Eric S. Maskin, A.O. Hirschman Professor of Social Science, Institute for Advanced Study "Herve Moulin is one of the deepest thinkers in welfare economics. His book on fair division is an elegant overview of modern contributions to an ancient problem."--Eric S. Maskin, A.O. Hirschman Professor of Social Science, Institute for Advanced Study "Evans and Schmalensee's *Paying with Plastic* provides a rigorous analysis and deep insights about the payment card industry's fascinating institutional features. This book will appeal not only to policy-makers and business executives, but also to the theoretically inclined economist. The second edition incorporates much new material, including recent advances to two-sided market economics (to which the authors have made substantial contributions). A remarkable achievement."--Jean Tirole, Institut d'Economie Industrielle, University of ToulousePlease note: This new quote arrived too late for the jacket, so the first quote will be used there. This version should be used for all other purposes. Thanks! "This is as edifying a course on contract theory as a primer could ever hope to be -- the little book that could."--Bengt Holmstrom, Paul A. Samuelson Professor of Economics, MITPlease note: Arrived too late to appear on book jacket. "Google, eBay, mobile phones, and the Xbox have a lot more in common that you might suspect. *Invisible Engines* builds on recent thinking about two-sided platforms, including the authors' substantial contributions to it. Evans, Hagiu and Schmalensee beautifully blend economics, history, and business analysis to shed light on how businesses and policy makers should design their strategies. This exciting book will be a key resource for practitioners and academics interested in knowing how software platforms work and where information technologies are heading."--Jean Tirole, Institut d'Economie Industrielle, University of Toulouse "*Invisible Engines* describes the economics of operating systems, those fiendishly complex pieces of software that provide the nervous system for computers, cell phones, game consoles, and a host of other devices. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the economic forces that drive high-tech industries."--Hal Varian, Haas School of Business and Department of Economics, University of California, Berkeley