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This review delves into the model of choice of individuals in an economy, exploring how preferences lead to demands with multiple agents. It discusses the formation of prices and efficiency in markets using apples and oranges as examples. By examining feasible allocations and geometric representations, concepts like Pareto efficiency and the contract curve are explained. The text explores the working of markets, competitive equilibriums, and the First Welfare Theorem in relation to Pareto optimality.
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L12 General Equilibrium
Review • Model of choice of individual • We know preferences and we find demands • With many such agents: • Q1: How prices are formed? • Q2: Are markets efficient?
“Economy” with apples and oranges • Two consumers, A and B. • Total resources available • Feasible allocation and
Geometric representation • Four numbers and geometric representation • Insane? • No: Edgeworth box • Collection of all feasible allocations
OB Edgeworth Box OA
Desirable Allocation: Pareto Efficient • When allocation is “socially” efficient? - Maximizing sum of utilities? NO! - Weaker notion: Pareto efficiency! • Allocation x Pareto efficient, if there does not exist allocation y that is A) at least as good as x for all B) is strictly better for at least one
OB Pareto Efficiency OA
OB Pareto Efficiency=Tangenency OA
OB Contract Curve • The contract curve is the set of all Pareto-optimal allocations. OA
OB Contract Curve • The contract curve is the set of all Pareto-optimal allocations. OA
How do Markets Work? How do markets work? • Individuals respond optimally to prices • Prices are such that markets clear We call a competitive equilibrium
Excess supply, Demand OB OA
Invisible Hand OB • Are markets (Pareto) efficient? • First Welfare Theorem: allocation in Competitive equilibrium is Pareto optimal • Proof OA