Discovering Prices - (Kenneth J. Arrow Lecture) by Paul Milgrom

About the Book

Paul Milgrom describes how auctions can be used to discover prices and guide efficient resource allocations. Milgrom roots his new theories in real-world examples (including the ambitious U.S. incentive auction of radio frequencies, whose design he led) and provides economists with crucial new tools for solving complex resource allocation problems.

Book Synopsis

Traditional economic theory studies idealized markets in which prices alone can guide efficient allocation, with no need for central organization. Such models build from Adam Smith's famous concept of an invisible hand, which guides markets and renders regulation or interference largely unnecessary. Yet for many markets, prices alone are not enough to guide feasible and efficient outcomes, and regulation alone is not enough, either. Consider air traffic control at major airports. While prices could encourage airlines to take off and land at less congested times, prices alone do just part of the job; an air traffic control system is still indispensable to avoid disastrous consequences. With just an air traffic controller, however, limited resources can be wasted or poorly used. What's needed in this and many other real-world cases is an auction system that can effectively reveal prices while still maintaining enough direct control to ensure that complex constraints are satisfied.

In Discovering Prices, Paul Milgrom--the world's most frequently cited academic expert on auction design--describes how auctions can be used to discover prices and guide efficient resource allocations, even when resources are diverse, constraints are critical, and market-clearing prices may not even exist. Economists have long understood that externalities and market power both necessitate market organization. In this book, Milgrom introduces complex constraints as another reason for market design. Both lively and technical, Milgrom roots his new theories in real-world examples (including the ambitious U.S. incentive auction of radio frequencies, whose design he led) and provides economists with crucial new tools for dealing with the world's growing complex resource-allocation problems.

Review Quotes

In Discovering Prices, Paul Milgrom shows how innovative systems of price discovery can help solve vexing problems of reallocation, long thought to be intractable and made particularly challenging by the complexity and interconnectedness of new technologies. Milgrom's revolutionary advance in price theory is a most fitting tribute to Kenneth Arrow, who laid the foundation for understanding the traditional price system. A brilliant, fascinating book.--Bengt Holmstrom, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Nobel Laureate in Economics

No one has greater knowledge or, perhaps more importantly, more reliable instincts when it comes to incentive auction design. Milgrom's excellent monograph should be made available to economists as soon as possible.--Leslie Marx, Duke University

The elegant theory and mathematics in Milgrom's Discovering Prices are at the foundation of the FCC's Broadcast Incentive Auction. I can confirm the successful real-world application of the same, with Milgrom's active participation during every step of the design and implementation of an auction that will repurpose 84 MHz worth of prime spectrum and generate almost $20 billion in proceeds.--Gary M. Epstein, Chair of the FCC's Incentive Auction Task Force

This groundbreaking book of practical economic theory by Milgrom, the world's most accomplished designer of complex auctions, describes the design of the most complex auction yet: the FCC incentive auction for electromagnetic spectrum. The book also illuminates why the magic of the market doesn't happen by magic, but sometimes needs to be designed. Every economist, and indeed anyone interested in how markets work, will find these wide-ranging reflections rewarding to read and ponder.--Alvin E. Roth, Stanford University, Nobel Laureate in Economics

With deep theoretical insights and broad practical experience, Milgrom presents a systematic analysis of the challenges of pricing in complex resource-allocation problems, and in doing so he helps us to better understand the foundations of price theory in economics.--Roger Myerson, University of Chicago, Nobel Laureate in Economics

About the Author

Paul Milgrom is the Shirley R. and Leonard W. Ely, Jr. Professor of Humanities and Sciences in the Department of Economics at Stanford University. He was awarded the 2020 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. His books include Putting Auction Theory to Work (2004) and Economics, Organization, and Management (1992). He has also written dozens of articles on auction design, game theory, and macro- and microeconomics.