The most common mode of analysis in economic theory is to assume equilibrium. Yet, without a proper theory of how economies behave in disequilibrium, there is no foundation for such a practice. The necessary step in proposing a foundation is the formulation of a theory of stability, and in this 1984 book, Professor Fisher is primarily concerned with this subject, although disequilibrium behavior itself is analyzed. The author first undertakes a review of the existing literature on the stability of general equilibrium. He then proposes a more satisfactory general model in which agents realize their state of disequilibrium and act on arbitrage opportunities. The interrelated topics of the role of money, the nature of quantity constraints, and the optimal behaviour of arbitraging agents are extensively treated.

This volume is the result of a conference held at the Institute for Advanced Studies, Vienna. There is still a gap reflected both in fundamental meth odological differences and in the style of analysis between the Walrasian (and Edgeworthian) tradition of general equilibrium theory and the theo retical and policy problems raised in the framework of Keynesian and post-Keynesian macroeconomics. The conference succeeded in bringing together economic theorists working in fields ranging from abstract prob lems of mathematical equilibrium analysis to applied macroeconomic theory, and it is hoped that the present volume will contribute to bridging the above-mentioned hiatus. As organizer of the meeting and editor of its proceedings I want to thank the Institute for Advanced Studies for providing facilities and funds. I am also sincerely grateful to all my colleagues from the Institute for their generous help, in particular to Mrs Monika Herkner without whose assistance and organizational talent the conference would certainly not have been the success it in fact - in the opinion of all participants - turned out to have been. Furthermore, I wish to express my gratitude towards all participants in the meeting and contributors to the volume whose patient support of the whole enterprise proved indispensable. To Mrs Elfriede Auracher I am deeply indebted for her skillful and effective general management of the editorial work and her invaluable assistance in compiling the indexes.

'Bert Tieben is very well read in the history of economic thought and provides an overview of one of the basic concepts of economics that is unrivalled both in its scope and in its thoughtful and detailed discussion of the various currents and schools. It goes right to the heart of economic theory and asks some pertinent questions about the limits and the future of economic theorizing. That is, I think, what sets it apart from many other studies in the history of economic thought: it is history with an eye to the future, and it does all this without making any demands on the mathematical skills of the reader. This book should therefore appeal to everybody who is interested in the methodology of economics and in exploring the boundaries of economic analysis.' Hans Visser, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands This book deals with one of the most puzzling concepts in economic science, that of economic equilibrium. In modern economics, equilibrium is considered a key assumption, but its role is contested by economists both from within the mainstream and from rival schools of thought. What explains the contradictory assessments of the equilibrium concept in economics? Do economists belonging to different traditions disagree about the definition of equilibrium or do they adopt different rules for assessing scientific status? In this unique and exhaustive study, Bert Tieben answers these questions by investigating the history of equilibrium economics from 1700 to the present day. He concludes that ideology strongly coloured the development of this branch of theory, helping to explain the vehemence of the debates surrounding the concept. He also argues that scientific progress in economics may indeed be fostered by such opposition and contention, and calls for cross fertilization and stronger cooperation between the different schools of thought. This resourceful book will appeal to post graduate students and scholars in the history of economic thought and economic methodology. Both neoclassical and heterodox economists, most notably Austrian, post Keynesian and institutional economists, will also find much to interest them.

Since the 1950s, macroeconomics has been transformed. This book is about one of the most important aspects of that transformation: the attempt, through the end of the twenty-first century and beyond, to construct macroeconomic models rigorously derived from models of individual firms and households.

This book brings together the author's pioneering work, written over the last twenty years, on the use of differential methods in general equilibrium theory.