About
Kenneth Joseph Arrow was a highly influential American economist, mathematician, and political theorist. He is best known for his groundbreaking work in social choice theory, general equilibrium theory, and welfare economics. Arrow's impossibility theorem, which demonstrates the inherent difficulties in aggregating individual preferences into a collective decision, is one of his most significant contributions. He received the John Bates Clark Medal in 1957 and, along with John Hicks, was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1972, solidifying his legacy as a giant in the field of economics.
Career Timeline
Social Choice Publication
Publishes Social Choice and Individual Values.
John Bates Clark Medal
Receives the John Bates Clark Medal.
Stanford Professorship
Becomes a professor at Stanford University.
Nobel Prize in Economics
Awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.
Harvard Professorship
Becomes a professor at Harvard University.
Continued Research
Continues to publish influential research papers.
Legacy of Influence
His work continues to influence economics, remembered as giant.
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Last updated: February 23, 2026