Back to Microeconomics: When Markets Fail
University of Pennsylvania

Microeconomics: When Markets Fail

Perfect markets achieve efficiency: maximizing total surplus generated. But real markets are imperfect. In this course we will explore a set of market imperfections to understand why they fail and to explore possible remedies including as antitrust policy, regulation, government intervention. Examples are taken from everyday life, from goods and services that we all purchase and use. We will apply the theory to current events and policy debates through weekly exercises. These will empower you to be an educated, critical thinker who can understand, analyze and evaluate market outcomes.

Status: Socioeconomics
Status: Public Policies
Course12 hours

Featured reviews

LE

5.0Reviewed Oct 21, 2016

Another fine course from Professor Stein. I particularly appreciated the final set of lectures, but all were well presented, understandable, and relevant.

AL

5.0Reviewed Mar 21, 2025

Excellent coverage of market failures, including monopoly, externalities, adverse selection, and moral hazard.

BD

5.0Reviewed Jan 25, 2022

Excellent course by Prof. Stein. One of the best, I have seen. Thanks for such a brilliant course.

AN

5.0Reviewed Feb 11, 2021

A great comtinuation of the principles of microeconomics. These two courses are so far my favorite on coursera! I wish the professor made more courses about microeconomics!

GM

5.0Reviewed Jul 4, 2017

Very comprehensive course that serves for the analysis of public policies and the preparation of public-private contracts.

AM

5.0Reviewed Apr 5, 2020

In the beginning, it started to clear out my basics. As we got closer to the end of the course, it related the theoretical knowledge gained to the practical scenario.

JD

5.0Reviewed Feb 27, 2021

lectures are engaging, quizes are helpful means to study for the credit course I am taking from another university.

SM

5.0Reviewed Mar 10, 2021

Rebecca is knowledgeable and explains very clearly. Great teacher and great course. I’d love another course and more numerical exercises if possible. Great course, thanks!!

VS

5.0Reviewed Oct 13, 2019

Very educating, interesting, and knowledge gaining. I appreciate for providing this course. Seek many more such modules of the whole economics subject.

NP

5.0Reviewed Aug 12, 2018

I really appreciated the short form videos and abundant visual examples. I would take MANY more classes on Coursera if it were guaranteed that they would follow this format.

DS

5.0Reviewed Sep 23, 2020

This course was awesome. I really enjoyed. Though, I am non Economic Background, still found this course very helpful.

KN

5.0Reviewed Jun 23, 2022

Really a fantastic course with rigourous microeconmic analysis and market structure. Thanks to Mam

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 137

David Voyles
5.0
Reviewed Oct 25, 2018
Julie D
4.0
Reviewed Sep 3, 2020
Nicholas Paola
5.0
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Aditi Mittal
5.0
Reviewed Apr 5, 2020
Larry L English
5.0
Reviewed Oct 21, 2016
Mike Y Wang
3.0
Reviewed Jun 17, 2018
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Reviewed Jan 11, 2025
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flighting
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