The Algebraic Geometry of Competitive Equilibrium

The classical tools of general equilibrium theory are convexity and general topology. One of Debreu’s lasting contributions has been to show how the tools of differential topology may serve to yield more refined information about equilibrium. In particular, Debreu (1970) showed that differential topology could provide a rigorous formalization of “counting equations and unknowns” to provide a satisfyȧctory result on the determinacy of equilibrium.