UMass Amherst Libraries Announce Publication of The Theoretical Essentials of Intermediate Microeconomics by Donald W. Katzner

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries are pleased to announce the publication of The Theoretical Essentials of Intermediate Microeconomics by Donald W. Katzner (Professor, Economics).  

The book presents a clear and uncluttered discussion centered on the basic theoretical ideas, arguments, and interrelationships that constitute the traditional explanation of the workings of the perfectly competitive microeconomy. Katzner intends the book to be a useful resource that summarizes the main theoretical elements of intermediate microeconomics in a way that makes the underlying methodological and theoretical issues more transparent to the reader. The book includes examples of market failures to account for more realistic microeconomic circumstances and strives to set discussions in the context of a world with two final goods, two persons, two firms, and two inputs or resources. There is no game theory or discussions of uncertainty and behavioral economics. Topical coverage includes the theory of the consumer, the theory of the firm, the theory of markets, general equilibrium, welfare, monopoly, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, externalities, and public goods. 

“I believe these issues are very important and should be more widely taken into account – not only at the intermediate level,” says Katzner. “To further this end by making the book available to as broad an audience as possible, I have chosen to publish this book open access through the University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.”