'Leading economists presenting fundamentally important issues in economic theory' is the theme of the Nancy Schwartz lectures series held annually at the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management of Northwestern University. Reporting on lectures delivered in the years 1983 through 1997, this collection of essays discusses economic behavior at the individual and group level and the implications to the performance of economic systems. Using non-technical language, the speakers present theoretical, experimental, and empirical analysis of decision making under uncertainty and under full and bounded rationality, the influence of economic incentives and habits, and the effects of learning and evolution on dynamic choice. Perfect competition, economic development, social insurance and social mobility, and negotiation and economic survival, are major economic subjects analyzed through our understanding of economic behavior.

Editors' foreword
The Schwartz Lectures
Nancy Lou Schwartz M. I. Kamien
Publications of Nancy L. Schwartz
The Lectures: 1983. The economics of incentives: an introductory account Hugo Sonnenschein
1984. On the theory of perfect competition Andreu Mas-Colell
1985. On the role of 'Dutch books' in the theory of choice under risk Menahem E. Yaari
1986. Rationality and bounded rationality Robert J. Aumann
1987. On the mechanics of economic development Robert E. Lucas, Jr
1988. Knightian uncertainty Truman F. Bewley
1989. Evolution, learning, and economic behavior Reinhard Selten
1990. Experimental economics: behavioral lessons for microeconomic theory and policy Vernon L. Smith
1991. Habits, addictions, and traditions Gary S. Becker
1993. Issues in social insurance Peter A. Diamond
1994. Negotiation with private information: litigation and strikes Robert B. Wilson
1995. Economic survival Roy Radner
1996. Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves: the economics of social mobility Nancy L. Stokey
1997. Anticipated utility and dynamic choice David M. Kreps.

Subject Areas: Economic theory & philosophy [KCA]