Gabaix, Xavier2018-01-172016Gabaix, Xavier. 2016. “Power Laws in Economics: An Introduction.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 30 (1) (February): 185–206. doi:10.1257/jep.30.1.185.0895-3309http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:34651705Many of the insights of economics seem to be qualitative, with many fewer reliable quantitative laws. However a series of power laws in economics do count as true and nontrivial quantitative laws—and they are not only established empirically, but also understood theoretically. I will start by providing several illustrations of empirical power laws having to do with patterns involving cities, firms, and the stock market. I summarize some of the theoretical explanations that have been proposed. I suggest that power laws help us explain many economic phenomena, including aggregate economic fluctuations. I hope to clarify why power laws are so special, and to demonstrate their utility. In conclusion, I list some power-law-related economic enigmas that demand further exploration.en-USJournal Article2018-01-1710.1257/jep.30.1.185