We learned in Ec 10 that monopolies harm consumers. Quality tends to suffer. The monopolist has no direct incentive to improve the product offered. What if Harvard offered an alternative introductory economics class, forcing the two to compete for student attendance? Perhaps then Ec 10 would have to reduce section size and spice up the curriculum to attract more "customers."
Professor Feldstein speaks vehemently on the need for open markets and free trade--but will he face the competition that his own lectures demand?
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Shauna L. Shames '01 is a social studies and women's studies concentrator in Currier House. She was enrolled in Social Analysis 10 during the 1998-1999 school year.