Background
A value judgement in economics reflects an opinion about the relative merits of different economic states, rooted in morals or aesthetics rather than purely logical arguments.
Historical Context
The concept has been central to distinguishing between two broad categories of economic analysis: normative and positive economics. This distinction was formalized during the development of economic thought in the 20th century.
Definitions and Concepts
Value Judgement: An opinion formed about the relative merits of different states of the economy based on criteria such as moral values or aesthetic considerations, rather than objective and logical premises.
For example:
- Pareto Improvement: A change where at least one individual benefits and no one else is harmed, supporting the implementation without requiring a value judgement.
- Non-Pareto Changes: When a proposed change benefits one party but harms another, necessitating a value judgement on how to value these outcomes.
Major Analytical Frameworks
Classical Economics
Classical economics focused more on objective analysis and less explicitly integrated value judgements. The emphasis was on prices, outputs, and markets without much regard for redistributive concerns.
Neoclassical Economics
Neoclassical economics builds on the classical framework and often employs value-free language, particularly in establishing models and standards such as efficiency without making explicit judgements. However, policy recommendations can still encapsulate value judgements.
Keynesian Economics
Keynesian economics acknowledges the role of governmental intervention, often entangled with value judgements about social welfare, employment, and income distribution.
Marxian Economics
Marxian economics openly involves value judgements, critiquing the capitalist system from a labor-based value framework, focusing on class struggles and equity.
Institutional Economics
Values are integral to institutional economics, considering societal norms, customs, and political structures, making certain value judgements inherent in its analyses.
Behavioral Economics
Behavioral economics includes value judgements by examining how real human behavior deviates from economic predictions and how such behavior should inform policy-making for improved societal outcomes.
Post-Keynesian Economics
Continues emphasizing values through social norms and institutions affecting economic outcomes and policies, making explicit value judgements.
Austrian Economics
Austrian economists argue for individualism and market freedom, often viewing external interventions through a value-laden lens promoting liberty and critique against coercive systems.
Development Economics
Development economics involves myriad value judgements, focusing on growth impacts, inequality, poverty, and overall human well-being.
Monetarism
Monetarists emphasize controlling money supply as value-neutral but acknowledge that goals such as price stability involve prescriptive judgements.
Comparative Analysis
Evaluating economic theories often reveals an implicit or explicit integration of value judgements, particularly when recommending policies or assessing societal impacts.
Case Studies
- Welfare Programs: Debates often hinge on value judgements regarding equity versus efficiency.
- Environmental Policies: Involves value judgements between economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Economics: An Introductory Analysis” by Paul Samuelson
- “The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money” by John Maynard Keynes
- “Capital, Volume I” by Karl Marx
- “Human Action” by Ludwig von Mises
Related Terms with Definitions
Normative Economics: Economic analysis based on value judgements about how the economy should be.
Positive Economics: Economic analysis based on objective facts and cause-and-effect relationships, devoid of value judgements.
