In the 1950s, the theorists of the new welfare economics showed that the state cannot enhance economic efficiency (or, what is the same, increase societys income) without making a value judgment that favors some and harms others. But most of these economists would not accept their discoverys corollary that to minimize value judgments the state should refrain from meddling with social welfare policy.
Social Welfare, State Intervention, and Value Judgments
By Pierre Lemieux
This
article
appeared in
the Summer 2006 issue of The Independent Review.
EconomistsEconomyFreedomGovernment and PoliticsGovernment PowerLaw and LibertyPhilosophy and ReligionPolitical TheoryPublic ChoiceThe Nanny State
Other Independent Review articles by Pierre Lemieux | ||
Summer 2021 | The Impossibility of Populism | |
Winter 2015/16 | From Lemonade Stands to 2065 | |
Summer 2015 | The State and Public Choice | |
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