Part 1: “No Prices No Games!” with Ariel Rubinstein

Part 1: “No Prices No Games!” with Professor Ariel Rubinstein
Friday, February 20th, 2026 
(Three-part Mini Course Series, sponsored by the Program for Economic Research)

PER Mini Course Instructor: Ariel Rubinstein

Professor of Economics at Tel Aviv University and NYU

Ariel Rubinstein, Professor of Economics at Tel Aviv University and NYU, will be speaking as a PER Mini Course instructor about his recent book,  “No Prices No Games!”, and his paper, “Magical Implementation”.

Mini Course Series, Part 1

Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: 1027 International Affairs Building (IAB)

Talk Title: “No Prices No Games!: Four Economic Models”

Abstract: While current economic theory focuses on prices and games, this book models economic settings where harmony is established through one of the following societal conventions: -A power relation according to which stronger agents are able to force weaker ones to do things against their will. -A norm that categorizes actions as permissible or forbidden. -A status relation over alternatives which limits each agent’s choices. -Systematic biases in agents’ preferences. These four conventions are analysed using simple and mathematically straightforward models, without any pretensions regarding direct applied usefulness. While we do not advocate for the adoption of any of these conventions specifically – we do advocate that when modelling an economic situation, alternative equilibrium notions should be considered, rather than automatically reaching for the familiar approaches of prices or games.

Please note that registration is required to attend this event.
To register for this mini course, please fill out this form.

Light refreshments will be served.