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: Public Policies
Status: Market Share
Course12 hours

Featured reviews

BD

5.0Reviewed Jan 24, 2022

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

LE

5.0Reviewed Oct 20, 2016

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

KN

5.0Reviewed Jun 22, 2022

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

VR

5.0Reviewed May 23, 2017

I came here for the videos! Extremely concise and accurate. Very good for reviewing material. I speak from the level of an HL Economics student in the IB.

HT

5.0Reviewed Apr 23, 2021

The course is best for those who are beginners to Microeconomics. I had no idea of Microeconomics. This course has given me confidence to start my journey to start learning more. Thanks

AN

5.0Reviewed Feb 10, 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!

VK

5.0Reviewed Aug 4, 2022

An outstanding course. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand why the Invisible Hand is not enough to tackle market failures. Professor Stein is a gem.

NP

5.0Reviewed Aug 11, 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.

GM

5.0Reviewed Jul 3, 2017

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

VS

5.0Reviewed Oct 12, 2019

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

AL

5.0Reviewed Mar 20, 2025

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

DS

5.0Reviewed Sep 22, 2020

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

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 137

David Voyles
5.0
Reviewed Oct 24, 2018
Julie D
4.0
Reviewed Sep 2, 2020
Nicholas Paola
5.0
Reviewed Aug 12, 2018
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
Andrea Fernandes
5.0
Reviewed Aug 25, 2017
Gagan Kumar
5.0
Reviewed Jan 10, 2025
Francisco Alejandro Olivas Alvear
5.0
Reviewed Mar 25, 2017
T.R. Barrows
5.0
Reviewed Oct 22, 2016
Erick Alessandro Canul Cabrera
5.0
Reviewed Nov 29, 2022
Alban Lika
5.0
Reviewed Mar 18, 2018
Anuli Regina Ogbuagu
5.0
Reviewed Feb 17, 2019
Mia Jones
5.0
Reviewed Aug 23, 2022
Piyush Prafullbhai Kathrotiya
5.0
Reviewed May 23, 2021
Hammed Abiola
5.0
Reviewed Jun 9, 2016
Habib Hussain
5.0
Reviewed Feb 15, 2023
Nirav Desai
5.0
Reviewed May 20, 2018
flighting
5.0
Reviewed Sep 8, 2017
Salar A.Haqqi
5.0
Reviewed Nov 1, 2016