Theoretical Economics publishes research in all areas of economic theory. We welcome submissions in both pure and applied theory. Papers with empirical or experimental content will be considered, though a paper must contain a substantial and innovative theoretical component to be accepted. A paper that is based on a short paper in a conference volume must meet the same criterion. That is, it must make a significant and innovative contribution to the literature, where the literature includes the short paper. In particular, a paper that consists primarily of the exposition and proofs of results published in a conference volume typically does not satisfy the criterion. We have no maximum or minimum restriction on the length of papers, but have no separate section for “notes.”

Theoretical Economics was founded with the aim of becoming the leading field journal in economic theory (see the 2006 Open Letter to Promotion Committees). The 2016 Annual Report contains journal impact factors, calculated ten years after TE first appeared, which suggest the aim has been achieved. It is also noteworthy that this was achieved while maintaining quick turnaround (see the annual report for details; current information on turn-around times is on this page (which is linked from the Turnaround page). We seek papers comparable to the best theoretical papers in the Review of Economic Studies, the Journal of Economic Theory, and Games and Economic Behavior.

An important goal of Theoretical Economics is to speed the review process. In particular, we aim to have papers go through at most two rounds of refereeing. In light of this goal, a paper judged to be unlikely to be acceptable by a second round will be rejected, either without consultation with referees or in response to referee reports.

Papers must be submitted as pdf files; the size of the text font must be at least 12 point.