Welfare definition of economics

The welfare definition of economics is an attempt by Alfred Marshall, a pioneer neoclassical economist, to redefine his field of study. This definition expands the field of economic science to a larger study of humanity. Specifically, Marshall's view is that economics studies all the actions that people take in order to achieve economic welfare. In the words of Marshall, "man earns money to get material welfare." This is why economists since Marshall have described his definition as the welfare definition of economics. This definition enlarged the scope of economic science by emphasizing the study of wealth and humanity together, rather than wealth alone.

In his widely read textbook, Principles of Economics, published in 1890, Marshall defines economics as follows:

"Political Economy or Economics is a study of men as they live and think and move in the ordinary business of life. It examines that part of individual & social action which is most closely connected with the attainment & with the use of material requisites of well-being".[1]

Implications

The following are the implications of this definition:

  1. Economics is a study of humankind.
  2. Human life has several aspects: social, religious, economic and political—but economics is concerned only with the economic aspect of life.
  3. Promotion of welfare is the ultimate goal, but the term welfare is used in a narrow sense to meet material welfare only.[2]

According to Edwin Cannan, "the aim of political economy or Economics is the explanation of the general causes on which the material welfare of human beings depend".

Marshall clearly explains that economic activity is different from other activity. For example,

If a student visits a friend who is ill, it is a social activity,
If a person give his vote in an election, it is a political activity.
If a person goes to church/temple it is a religious activity.[3]

Marshall defines economic activity as separate from the above activities. A farmer who toils in the field, or a worker on an assembly, are performing an economic activity: they work to increase their material welfare (primarily by earning money). Money buys goods or services that satisfy wants. In other words, economics deals with effort, wants, and the satisfaction of those wants.

Impact on economics

.Followers in the neoclassical tradition, such as William Beveridge and Arthur Pigou have continued to define economics in terms of material welfare. According to Pigou, "the range of enquiry becomes restricted to that part of social welfare that can be brought directly or indirectly into relation with the measuring rod of money".[4]

Criticism

Marshall’s definition has been criticized by more recent economists, including Lionel Robbins. Robbins' criticisms include:

(1) Narrows down the scope of economics. Marshall distinguishes between material and non-material welfare, and confines economics to the study of material welfare. Robbins feels that economists should not limit their attention to material welfare. There are things that are "non-material" but they promote human welfare. Robbins cites “the services of doctors, lawyers, teachers, dancers, engineers, professors". These goods "satisfy our wants and are scarce in supply”.[5] Some economists feel that Marshall's definition of "material" includes both goods and services, and that Robbins is either misreading Marshall's text, or creating a straw man argument.[6]

(2) Assumes equivalency between welfare and economic activity. For Robbins, there are economic activities which do not promote human welfare. For example, the sale of cocaine or heroin. Here Robbins says, “Why talk of welfare at all? Why not throw away the mask altogether”.

(3) It is a vague concept. According to Robbins, “welfare” is a vague concept to use to define economics because it is subjective. Economics is a quantitative science; but welfare cannot be quantitatively measured, and two persons cannot agree on what creates or improves welfare.

(4) It involves value judgement. Finally the word “welfare” in Marshall’s definition brings economics to the realm of ethics. Robbins would prefer that economics remain neutral in assessing the results of economic transactions.

References

  1. ↑ Marshall, Alfred (1890). "Principles of Economics". Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  2. ↑ Buchanan, James M. (1987). "opportunity cost", The New Palgrave: A Dictionary of Economics, v. 3, pp. 718–21.
  3. ↑ Robbins, Lionel (1934). Economics as a Science Of Scarcity and Choice. MacMillan.
  4. ↑ Pigou, Arthur C. (1920). The Economics of Welfare. MacMillan. Chapter 1, Section 1.
  5. ↑ “Nature and Significance of Economics Science”
  6. ↑ Friedman Milton (1953). "The Methodology of Positive Economics", Essays in Positive Economics, University of Chicago Press, p. 71.
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