<I>Presidential Address</I>: How Revealing Is Revealed Preference?
回应了揭示性偏好理论实证应用的两大批评,证明最新发展已能提供理性检验、刻画品味变化、并给出需求反应和福利成本的紧界,对实证微观经济学研究者有参考价值。
This lecture address the following two key criticisms of the empirical application of revealed preference theory: When the RP conditions do not reject, they do not provide precise predictions; and when they do reject, they do not help characterize the nature of irrationality or the degree/direction of changing tastes. Recent developments in the application of RP theory are shown to have rendered these criticisms unfounded. A powerful test of rationality is available that also provides a natural characterization of changing tastes. Tight bounds on demand responses and on the welfare costs of relative price and tax changes are also available and are shown to work well in practice.