Theoretical Economics
@econtheory.bsky.social
Theoretical Economics, a journal of the Econometric Society, publishes research in all areas of economic theory. All content is freely available.
We study stochastic choice using marginal distributions of menus and choices. RUM has no testable implications, but any domain restriction generates data restrictions. Luce also rationalizes any dataset, but unlike RUM its parameters are identified econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
November 11, 2025 at 6:04 PM
We study stochastic choice using marginal distributions of menus and choices. RUM has no testable implications, but any domain restriction generates data restrictions. Luce also rationalizes any dataset, but unlike RUM its parameters are identified econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
This paper shows that the limit equilibrium payoff set for stochastic games with imperfect public monitoring expands when the monitoring structure improves in the information order based on a weaker notion of garbling called weighted garbling econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
November 8, 2025 at 1:51 AM
This paper shows that the limit equilibrium payoff set for stochastic games with imperfect public monitoring expands when the monitoring structure improves in the information order based on a weaker notion of garbling called weighted garbling econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
How does verifiable information flow through networks? Full disclosure arises only when all players are biased in the same direction relative to the decision maker. Hence, the optimal network is a line where players are ordered by their preferences econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
November 4, 2025 at 5:59 PM
How does verifiable information flow through networks? Full disclosure arises only when all players are biased in the same direction relative to the decision maker. Hence, the optimal network is a line where players are ordered by their preferences econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
Perfectly patient and monotone preferences on infinite utility streams can allow for strict comparisons of almost all utility streams econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
October 24, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Perfectly patient and monotone preferences on infinite utility streams can allow for strict comparisons of almost all utility streams econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
Robust contracts for agents with unknown beliefs econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
October 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Robust contracts for agents with unknown beliefs econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
Standard dynamic preference models cannot simultaneously satisfy the properties of time consistency, the separation of time and risk preferences and the ability to accommodate an indifference to the timing of when risk is resolved econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
September 16, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Standard dynamic preference models cannot simultaneously satisfy the properties of time consistency, the separation of time and risk preferences and the ability to accommodate an indifference to the timing of when risk is resolved econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
What is the efficient provision of public information in frictional search markets?
I characterize the constrained-efficient market segmentation when agents use it to direct their search econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
I characterize the constrained-efficient market segmentation when agents use it to direct their search econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
September 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM
What is the efficient provision of public information in frictional search markets?
I characterize the constrained-efficient market segmentation when agents use it to direct their search econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
I characterize the constrained-efficient market segmentation when agents use it to direct their search econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
How does information shape monopoly outcomes under interdependent values? We characterize payoff sets across three classes of information structures. With no restrictions, buyers can obtain the entire surplus even though the seller chooses a price econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
September 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
How does information shape monopoly outcomes under interdependent values? We characterize payoff sets across three classes of information structures. With no restrictions, buyers can obtain the entire surplus even though the seller chooses a price econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
We extend Bayesian persuasion to dynamic environments with Markovian states. Optimal info disclosure trades off current vs. future discounted payoffs. We discuss optimal strategies and characterize when the asymptotic value hits its upper bound econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
August 21, 2025 at 5:09 AM
We extend Bayesian persuasion to dynamic environments with Markovian states. Optimal info disclosure trades off current vs. future discounted payoffs. We discuss optimal strategies and characterize when the asymptotic value hits its upper bound econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
Under which conditions do Bayesian equilibria exist in Bayesian games with general type spaces? The paper shows the existence of a Bayesian equilibrium when information is nested, provided the sets of actions are finite econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
August 21, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Under which conditions do Bayesian equilibria exist in Bayesian games with general type spaces? The paper shows the existence of a Bayesian equilibrium when information is nested, provided the sets of actions are finite econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
How does one optimally design mechanisms in contexts where evidence is stochastic, possibly because it must first be aquired? econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
August 11, 2025 at 11:48 PM
How does one optimally design mechanisms in contexts where evidence is stochastic, possibly because it must first be aquired? econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
A model a non-Bayesian agent who adjusts estimates based on past data but misattributes selection bias as systematic error. This naive calibration leads to pessimistic choices, reinforced by feedback loops. Applied to auctions & project selection econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
August 11, 2025 at 11:43 PM
A model a non-Bayesian agent who adjusts estimates based on past data but misattributes selection bias as systematic error. This naive calibration leads to pessimistic choices, reinforced by feedback loops. Applied to auctions & project selection econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
Do partners always benefit from a more profitable partnership? Not necessarily. This paper shows that higher profitability can prompt strategic exits by partners, leaving all partners strictly worse off econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
July 25, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Do partners always benefit from a more profitable partnership? Not necessarily. This paper shows that higher profitability can prompt strategic exits by partners, leaving all partners strictly worse off econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
Theoretical Economics Volume 20, Issue 3 (July 2025) is now online econtheory.org
July 23, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Theoretical Economics Volume 20, Issue 3 (July 2025) is now online econtheory.org
How do sequential information choices affect the extent of coordination failure? We show that in the context of global games, the likelihood of coordination failure is invariant to precision, cost, and availability of information econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
July 22, 2025 at 11:27 PM
How do sequential information choices affect the extent of coordination failure? We show that in the context of global games, the likelihood of coordination failure is invariant to precision, cost, and availability of information econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
Choice or competition? We show that every "good" matching mechanism fails the monotonicity requirement that no individuals be hurt by integration econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
June 12, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Choice or competition? We show that every "good" matching mechanism fails the monotonicity requirement that no individuals be hurt by integration econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
Can participants detect an authority straying from its announced rules? Transparency trades off with strategy-proofness, stability, and efficiency. Yet the paper finds partial guarantees: stability can be enforced, while efficiency usually cannot econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
June 4, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Can participants detect an authority straying from its announced rules? Transparency trades off with strategy-proofness, stability, and efficiency. Yet the paper finds partial guarantees: stability can be enforced, while efficiency usually cannot econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
Can time inconsistency lead to chaotic equilibria or complex cycles? I explore this question using a simple model of dynamic policymaking. #TimeInconsistency #ChaosTheory #EconTheory econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
June 3, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Can time inconsistency lead to chaotic equilibria or complex cycles? I explore this question using a simple model of dynamic policymaking. #TimeInconsistency #ChaosTheory #EconTheory econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
How best to incentivise prompt disclosure? We formalise this question and show that the answer has a deadline structure. We apply our results to the design of unemployment insurance schemes econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
June 3, 2025 at 2:17 PM
How best to incentivise prompt disclosure? We formalise this question and show that the answer has a deadline structure. We apply our results to the design of unemployment insurance schemes econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
Theoretical Economics Volume 20, Issue 2 (May 2025) is now online econtheory.org
June 1, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Theoretical Economics Volume 20, Issue 2 (May 2025) is now online econtheory.org
Search-and-matching models often assume a steady state. We prove that a non-stationary equilibrium exists, with search pool populations evolving. A key tool: we generalize Schauder’s fixed-point theorem to address discontinuous value functions econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
May 12, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Search-and-matching models often assume a steady state. We prove that a non-stationary equilibrium exists, with search pool populations evolving. A key tool: we generalize Schauder’s fixed-point theorem to address discontinuous value functions econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
In markets with budget-constrained buyers and divisible goods, competitive equilibria aren’t always utilitarian efficient—but they are constrained utilitarian efficient, and revenue-optimal for linear values and zero-cost sellers econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
April 15, 2025 at 9:48 PM
In markets with budget-constrained buyers and divisible goods, competitive equilibria aren’t always utilitarian efficient—but they are constrained utilitarian efficient, and revenue-optimal for linear values and zero-cost sellers econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
In verifiable communication the receiver is skeptical: he partially attributes incomplete disclosures to the sender concealing unfavorable evidence. This paper characterizes more skeptical receivers as those that believe the sender has more evidence econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
March 26, 2025 at 9:36 PM
In verifiable communication the receiver is skeptical: he partially attributes incomplete disclosures to the sender concealing unfavorable evidence. This paper characterizes more skeptical receivers as those that believe the sender has more evidence econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
A principal interacts with two agents vying for project selection. How to adapt to new information while still fostering cooperation? The optimal selection rule has two phases: First compete, then collaborate econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
March 17, 2025 at 8:08 PM
A principal interacts with two agents vying for project selection. How to adapt to new information while still fostering cooperation? The optimal selection rule has two phases: First compete, then collaborate econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
We develop an ex-post approach to sufficientarianism and prioritarianism based on prospect independence for the unconcerned. Our paper provides axiomatic characterizations econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...
March 17, 2025 at 7:57 PM
We develop an ex-post approach to sufficientarianism and prioritarianism based on prospect independence for the unconcerned. Our paper provides axiomatic characterizations econtheory.org/ojs/index.ph...