Ariel Rubinstein, professor of economics at New York University and Tel Aviv University, will speak about “Economics With Norms and Without Prices” Oct. 28 in the annual George Staller Lecture.

The event, 4-5:30 p.m. in 185 Statler Hall, is free and open to the public.

“Ariel Rubinstein is one of the world’s most prominent economic theorists, with seminal work in game theory,” said Kaushik Basu, the C. Marks Professor of International Studies and professor of economics. “What makes him special is the philosopher’s touch that he brings to his writings.”

Rubinstein will discuss current research in game-theory economics.

“His lecture will show how norms and social arrangements can bring harmony to an environment with conflicting individual interests due to economywide feasibility constraints,” Basu said. “The invisible hand of social norms can do more than what is traditionally supposed.”

Rubinstein is the recipient of numerous economics awards, including the Israel Prize; the Emet Prize for Art, Science and Culture; the Rothschild Prize; and the Erwin Plein Nemmers Economics Prize.

The annual lecture honors the life and achievements of Staller, who taught in Cornell’s Department of Economics for more than 49 years. He taught courses on the economies of the Soviet Union, the Eastern bloc and comparative economic systems, as well as introductory macroeconomics. His research compared planned and free market economies and analyzed industrial growth and industrial output within Soviet Eastern Europe.

Catherine Gorey ’21 is a communications assistant for the College of Arts and Sciences.