Principles of Microeconomics
Third Edition ©2026 Betsey Stevenson; Justin Wolfers Formats: E-book
Authors
-
Betsey Stevenson
Betsey Stevenson is a professor of economics and public policy at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on the impact of public policies on the labor market, and explores women’s labor market experiences, the economic forces shaping the modern family, and the role of subjective well-being data for public policy. She serves on the Executive Committee of the American Economic Association, and is also a research associate with the National Bureau of Economic Research, a fellow of the Institute for Economic Research in Munich, a visiting associate professor of economics at the University of Sydney, and a research Fellow with the Centre for Economic Policy Research in London. She served as a member of the Council of Economic Advisers from 2013 to 2015, where she advised President Obama on social policy, labor market, and trade issues. She also served as the chief economist of the U.S. Department of Labor from 2010 to 2011. Betsey is an occasional editorialist for Bloomberg, and a trusted presence in the public debate about economics and public policy. She earned a BA in economics and mathematics from Wellesley College and an AM and PhD in economics from Harvard University.
-
Justin Wolfers
Justin Wolfers is a professor of economics and public policy at the University of Michigan. He does research in both macroeconomics and applied microeconomics topics, and has explored unemployment and inflation, the power of prediction markets, the economic forces shaping the modern family, discrimination, and happiness. He is a research associate with the National Bureau for Economic Research, a fellow of the Brookings Institution, a fellow of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a research fellow with the Centre for Economic Policy Research in London, a fellow of the Institute for Economic Research in Munich, a visiting professor of economics at the University of Sydney, and an international research fellow at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany. He has been an editor of the Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, a board member on the Committee on the Status of Women in Economics, a member of the Panel of Advisors of the U.S. Congressional Budget Office, among many other board and advisory positions. He is currently a contributing columnist for the New York Times , and has written about economic issues in numerous other outlets. He is frequently quoted in the media on economic policy and relied upon to provide unbiased assessments of the current state of the macroeconomy. Justin earned a BA in economics from the University of Sydney and an AM and PhD in economics from Harvard University.
Table of Contents
Preface
A Quick Review of Graphs
PART I Foundations of Economics
Chapter 1 The Four Core Principles of Economics
Chapter 2 Demand and Consumer Choice
Chapter 3 Supply and Producer Choice
Chapter 4 Equilibrium: Where Supply Meets Demand
PART II Analyzing Markets
Chapter 5 Elasticity: Measuring Responsiveness
Chapter 6 Taxes, Price Controls, and Quantity Regulations
Chapter 7 Welfare Economics: Evaluating Market Efficiency
and Market Failure
Chapter 8 Comparative Advantage and Gains from Trade
PART III Applications and Policy Issues
Chapter 9 International Trade
Chapter 10 Externalities and Public Goods
Chapter 11 The Labor Market
Chapter 12 Why Wages Vary: Workers, Jobs, Institutions, and Discrimination
Chapter 13 Inequality, Poverty, and Social Insurance
PART IV Industrial Organization and Business Strategy
Chapter 14 Market Structure and Degrees of Market Power
Chapter 15 Entry, Exit, and Long-Run Profitability
Chapter 16 Price Discrimination and Sophisticated Pricing Strategies
Chapter 17 Economics of Strategic Management
PART V Advanced Decisions
Chapter 18 Game Theory and Strategic Choices
Chapter 19 Decisions Involving Uncertainty
Chapter 20 Decisions Involving Private Information
Appendix: A Deeper Dive Into Consumer Choice: Budget Constraints and Indifference Curves
Glossary
Index
Product Updates
Authors
-
Betsey Stevenson
Betsey Stevenson is a professor of economics and public policy at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on the impact of public policies on the labor market, and explores women’s labor market experiences, the economic forces shaping the modern family, and the role of subjective well-being data for public policy. She serves on the Executive Committee of the American Economic Association, and is also a research associate with the National Bureau of Economic Research, a fellow of the Institute for Economic Research in Munich, a visiting associate professor of economics at the University of Sydney, and a research Fellow with the Centre for Economic Policy Research in London. She served as a member of the Council of Economic Advisers from 2013 to 2015, where she advised President Obama on social policy, labor market, and trade issues. She also served as the chief economist of the U.S. Department of Labor from 2010 to 2011. Betsey is an occasional editorialist for Bloomberg, and a trusted presence in the public debate about economics and public policy. She earned a BA in economics and mathematics from Wellesley College and an AM and PhD in economics from Harvard University.
-
Justin Wolfers
Justin Wolfers is a professor of economics and public policy at the University of Michigan. He does research in both macroeconomics and applied microeconomics topics, and has explored unemployment and inflation, the power of prediction markets, the economic forces shaping the modern family, discrimination, and happiness. He is a research associate with the National Bureau for Economic Research, a fellow of the Brookings Institution, a fellow of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a research fellow with the Centre for Economic Policy Research in London, a fellow of the Institute for Economic Research in Munich, a visiting professor of economics at the University of Sydney, and an international research fellow at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany. He has been an editor of the Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, a board member on the Committee on the Status of Women in Economics, a member of the Panel of Advisors of the U.S. Congressional Budget Office, among many other board and advisory positions. He is currently a contributing columnist for the New York Times , and has written about economic issues in numerous other outlets. He is frequently quoted in the media on economic policy and relied upon to provide unbiased assessments of the current state of the macroeconomy. Justin earned a BA in economics from the University of Sydney and an AM and PhD in economics from Harvard University.
Table of Contents
Preface
A Quick Review of Graphs
PART I Foundations of Economics
Chapter 1 The Four Core Principles of Economics
Chapter 2 Demand and Consumer Choice
Chapter 3 Supply and Producer Choice
Chapter 4 Equilibrium: Where Supply Meets Demand
PART II Analyzing Markets
Chapter 5 Elasticity: Measuring Responsiveness
Chapter 6 Taxes, Price Controls, and Quantity Regulations
Chapter 7 Welfare Economics: Evaluating Market Efficiency
and Market Failure
Chapter 8 Comparative Advantage and Gains from Trade
PART III Applications and Policy Issues
Chapter 9 International Trade
Chapter 10 Externalities and Public Goods
Chapter 11 The Labor Market
Chapter 12 Why Wages Vary: Workers, Jobs, Institutions, and Discrimination
Chapter 13 Inequality, Poverty, and Social Insurance
PART IV Industrial Organization and Business Strategy
Chapter 14 Market Structure and Degrees of Market Power
Chapter 15 Entry, Exit, and Long-Run Profitability
Chapter 16 Price Discrimination and Sophisticated Pricing Strategies
Chapter 17 Economics of Strategic Management
PART V Advanced Decisions
Chapter 18 Game Theory and Strategic Choices
Chapter 19 Decisions Involving Uncertainty
Chapter 20 Decisions Involving Private Information
Appendix: A Deeper Dive Into Consumer Choice: Budget Constraints and Indifference Curves
Glossary
Index
Product Updates
Every Decision is an Economic Decision
Principles of Microeconomics is the most successful new introductory text in a generation. Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers help you see how economic thinking applies to the decisions you make every day—from what to buy, to how businesses set prices, to how markets work. This textbook breaks down complex ideas with clarity and relevance. It reimagines how core topics are taught: supply, demand, and equilibrium are explored over several chapters to build real understanding, and market structures are approached as a spectrum of strategy and pricing decisions—not just as abstract theory. You’ll still learn about monopolies and competition, but in a way that connects directly to real-world behavior.Paired with Achieve, Principles of Microeconomics becomes even more powerful. Achieve gives instructors the flexibility to shape their course while providing students with the tools they need to succeed. With thousands of assessments—including over 1,000 graphing questions—adaptive quizzes, assignable podcasts, New decision point activities, and a fully integrated eBook, Achieve reinforces key concepts and keeps students engaged. Seamless LMS integration, iClicker support, our New AI Tutor and Respondus make it easy to manage everything in one place, so you can focus on what matters most: teaching useful economics and proving that Every Decision is an Economic Decision. .
FAQs
-
-
Are you a campus bookstore looking for ordering information?
MPS Order Search Tool (MOST) is a web-based purchase order tracking program that allows customers to view and track their purchases. No registration or special codes needed! Just enter your BILL-TO ACCT # and your ZIP CODE to track orders.
Canadian Stores: Please use only the first five digits/letters in your zip code on MOST.
Visit MOST, our online ordering system for booksellers: https://tracking.mpsvirginia.com/Login.aspx
Learn more about our Bookstore programs here: https://www.macmillanlearning.com/college/us/contact-us/booksellers
-
-
-
Our courses currently integrate with Canvas, Blackboard (Learn and Ultra), Brightspace, D2L, and Moodle. Click on the support documentation below to find out more details about the integration with each LMS.
Integrate Macmillan courses with Blackboard
Integrate Macmillan courses with Canvas
-
-
-
If you’re a verified instructor, you can request a free sample of our courseware, e-book, or print textbook to consider for use in your courses. Only registered and verified instructors can receive free print and digital samples, and they should not be sold to bookstores or book resellers. If you don't yet have an existing account with Macmillan Learning, it can take up to two business days to verify your status as an instructor. You can request a free sample from the right side of this product page by clicking on the "Request Instructor Sample" button or by contacting your rep. Learn more.
-
-
-
Sometimes also referred to as a spiral-bound or binder-ready textbook, loose-leaf textbooks are available to purchase. This three-hole punched, unbound version of the book costs less than a hardcover or paperback book.
-
-
-
We can help! Contact your representative to discuss your specific needs for your course. If our off-the-shelf course materials don’t quite hit the mark, we also offer custom solutions made to fit your needs.
-
FAQs
-
-
Are you a campus bookstore looking for ordering information?
MPS Order Search Tool (MOST) is a web-based purchase order tracking program that allows customers to view and track their purchases. No registration or special codes needed! Just enter your BILL-TO ACCT # and your ZIP CODE to track orders.
Canadian Stores: Please use only the first five digits/letters in your zip code on MOST.
Visit MOST, our online ordering system for booksellers: https://tracking.mpsvirginia.com/Login.aspx
Learn more about our Bookstore programs here: https://www.macmillanlearning.com/college/us/contact-us/booksellers
-
-
-
Our courses currently integrate with Canvas, Blackboard (Learn and Ultra), Brightspace, D2L, and Moodle. Click on the support documentation below to find out more details about the integration with each LMS.
Integrate Macmillan courses with Blackboard
Integrate Macmillan courses with Canvas
-
-
-
If you’re a verified instructor, you can request a free sample of our courseware, e-book, or print textbook to consider for use in your courses. Only registered and verified instructors can receive free print and digital samples, and they should not be sold to bookstores or book resellers. If you don't yet have an existing account with Macmillan Learning, it can take up to two business days to verify your status as an instructor. You can request a free sample from the right side of this product page by clicking on the "Request Instructor Sample" button or by contacting your rep. Learn more.
-
-
-
Sometimes also referred to as a spiral-bound or binder-ready textbook, loose-leaf textbooks are available to purchase. This three-hole punched, unbound version of the book costs less than a hardcover or paperback book.
-
-
-
We can help! Contact your representative to discuss your specific needs for your course. If our off-the-shelf course materials don’t quite hit the mark, we also offer custom solutions made to fit your needs.
-
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics is the most successful new introductory text in a generation. Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers help you see how economic thinking applies to the decisions you make every day—from what to buy, to how businesses set prices, to how markets work.
This textbook breaks down complex ideas with clarity and relevance. It reimagines how core topics are taught: supply, demand, and equilibrium are explored over several chapters to build real understanding, and market structures are approached as a spectrum of strategy and pricing decisions—not just as abstract theory. You’ll still learn about monopolies and competition, but in a way that connects directly to real-world behavior.
Paired with Achieve, Principles of Microeconomics becomes even more powerful. Achieve gives instructors the flexibility to shape their course while providing students with the tools they need to succeed. With thousands of assessments—including over 1,000 graphing questions—adaptive quizzes, assignable podcasts, New decision point activities, and a fully integrated eBook, Achieve reinforces key concepts and keeps students engaged. Seamless LMS integration, iClicker support, our New AI Tutor and Respondus make it easy to manage everything in one place, so you can focus on what matters most: teaching useful economics and proving that Every Decision is an Economic Decision. .
Select a demo to view:
Sample Achieve