Andreu Mas-Colell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andreu Mas-Colell
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| Minister of Economy and Knowledge of Catalonia | |
| In office 29 December 2010 – 14 January 2016 |
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| Prime Minister | Artur Mas |
| Preceded by | Antoni Castells (Economy) Josep Huguet (Innovation and Universities) |
| Succeeded by | Oriol Junqueras |
| Minister of Universities, Research and the Information Society of Catalonia | |
| In office 3 April 2000 – 17 December 2003 |
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| President | Jordi Pujol |
| Succeeded by | Carles Solà |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Andreu Mas-Colell
29 June 1944 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain |
| Political party | CDC (2012–2016) |
| Children | Alexandre Mas |
| Profession | Economist Professor |
| Academic career | |
| Institution | Pompeu Fabra University |
| Field | Microeconomics |
| Alma mater | University of Minnesota-Minneapolis |
| Doctoral advisor |
Marcel Kessel Richter |
| Doctoral students |
Timothy Kehoe Eddie Dekel Mathias Dewatripont Atsushi Kajii Roberto Serrano Antoni Calvó-Armengol |
| Information at IDEAS / RePEc | |
Andreu Mas-Colell (born on June 29, 1944) is a famous economist. He is an expert in microeconomics, which studies how individuals and businesses make decisions. He is also known for using advanced math in economics.
He started the Barcelona School of Economics and is a professor at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. He has also worked in the government of Catalonia several times. His book, Microeconomic Theory, is one of the most used textbooks for students studying economics at a high level around the world.
In June 2021, a court in Spain, called the Court of Auditors, said that he and others were responsible for how some government money was spent. This led to a discussion about whether they should pay back some money.
Contents
His Life and Education
Andreu Mas-Colell was born in Barcelona. He studied economics at the University of Barcelona and finished in 1966. He then went to the University of Minnesota in the United States for his advanced studies. He earned his Ph.D. (a high-level degree) in 1972.
After his studies, he became a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Later, he taught at Harvard University. In 1995, he moved back to Barcelona to lead the Department of Economics and Business at Pompeu Fabra University.
He also led important economics journals. He was the editor of the Journal of Mathematical Economics from 1985 to 1989. He also edited Econometrica, another major economics journal, from 1988 to 1998. He was the president of the Econometric Society in 1993 and the European Economic Association in 2006.
Public Service Roles
Andreu Mas-Colell has held several important roles in public service for the Generalitat of Catalonia, which is the government of Catalonia.
- Commissioner for Universities and Research: From 1999 to 2000, he helped oversee universities and research in Catalonia.
- Minister of Universities, Research and the Information Society: From 2000 to 2003, he was a minister in the Catalan government. During this time, he created the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA). This program helps bring top scientists from all over the world to do their research in Catalonia.
- Secretary General of the European Research Council: From 2009 to 2010, he worked for this important European organization that supports scientific research.
- Councillor for Economy and Knowledge: From 2010 to 2016, he was in charge of the government's budget, economic plans, and research policies under President Artur Mas.
In 2021, the Spanish Court of Auditors looked into how some money was used by the Catalan government. They said that Mas-Colell and other former officials were responsible for how about €4.8 million was managed. This was related to a movement for Catalonia to become independent.
His Economic Research
Andreu Mas-Colell's research has covered many areas in mathematical economics. He is known for bringing back the use of advanced math, like differential calculus, into economic studies. This helped economists understand complex ideas like how markets reach a balance, known as "general equilibrium."
His book, The Theory of General Economic Equilibrium: a Differentiable Approach, explains how to use these advanced math tools in economics. It helped many researchers in the field.
He also worked on the theory of general equilibrium in different types of mathematical spaces. This helps economists study situations where decisions are uncertain or change over time.
Important Books
Mas-Colell has written or co-written several important books:
- The Theory of General Economic Equilibrium: a Differentiable Approach (1990): This book is considered a very complete and strict textbook on how to use advanced math in economics.
- Microeconomic Theory (1995): He wrote this book with Michael Whinston and Jerry R. Green. It is the most widely used textbook for advanced microeconomics students around the world.
Awards and Recognitions
Andreu Mas-Colell has received many awards and honors for his work:
- He is a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences and the American Economic Association.
- He is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Academia Europaea, and the Institute of Catalan Studies.
- He has received honorary doctorates (special degrees) from several universities, including the University of Alicante in Spain and the University of Chicago in the United States.
- He received the Creu de Sant Jordi, which is the highest civil honor in Catalonia. He also received the King Juan Carlos Prize in Economics.
- In 2009, he won the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Economy, Finance and Management.
In 2009, to celebrate his 65th birthday and his work with the European Research Council, two conferences were held in his honor. The Journal of Mathematical Economics also published a special issue dedicated to him. He received the Medal of Honor from Pompeu Fabra University.
In 2024, the University of Minnesota gave him its Outstanding Achievement Award. This award recognized him as a leading researcher in economic theory, someone who built academic institutions, and a leader in economics education.
In 2025, Mas-Colell received the Alexandre Pedrós Award from the Societat Econòmica Barcelonesa d'Amics del País.
See also
In Spanish: Andreu Mas-Colell para niños
