This volume and a subsequent one, contain several new papers on index number and aggregation theory, as well as some previously published papers, by W.E. Diewert and co-authors. The two volumes study aggregation problems in economics, primarily the aggregation over goods problem. However, some of the chapters also touch on aspects of the aggregation over agents problem. In the present volume, the reader can find, according to his/her requirements, either a short course on index number theory; a more in-depth course; or chapters on specific topics such as the measurement of inequality,...

This research was supported by the World Bank and the Social Sciences and Humanities R search Council of Canada. Neither institution is responsible for the views expressed in this paper. The author is indebted to V. Corbo, A. Haymer, Y. Kanemoto, K. Lee, K. Mera, Hal Varian and A. Walters for helpful comments and to Elizabeth Lambert, Shehnaz Motani', and Jeanette Leigh Paisley for excellent typing services. I would like to dedicate this book to my wife, Virginia. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. A Simple Producer Benefit...