Early Samuelson

Abstract

This paper is a survey of the thirteen journal articles and notes that Paul Samuelson published prior to the defense of doctoral dissertation in 1941. These publications cover a wide range of topics - the theory of consumer behavior and measurement of utility, international trade, capital theory, and macroeconomics. One article introduced revealed preference theory (1938a) and another analyzed interactions between the multiplier and the accelerator model of investment (1939d). A complete examination of all thirteen publications reveals both the breadth and depth of Samuleson's early career, and demonstrates that he had joined the group of leading economic theorists by the age of 25.

Keywords: Samuelson, microeconomic theory

JEL Classification: B20, B31