Myth of Social Cost: A Critique of Welfare Economics and the Implications for Public Policy - Couverture souple

Cheung, Steven N.S.

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0255361122 ISBN 13 : 9780255361125

Editeur : Institute of Economic Affairs, 1978

Synopsis

For over 50 years economists have argued that where private costs or benefits differ from social costs or benefits - in noise, smells, congestion, pollution of the environment - there is a 'clear case' for government intervention to correct the divergence. This argument has been used to justify almost endless intervention. However, the original analysts of social costs/benefits were led into error by failing to test their propositions against the evidence of real life. Painstaking empirical studies clearly demonstrate these errors. A divergence between private and social cost is no decisive justification for government action to correct it. The costs of intervention often outweigh the social benefits. Moreover, the alleged 'externalities' are merely uncontracted effects. Under private property rights, the use of contracts to transact what have been regarded as 'external' effects is far more common than has been commonly recognised.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Institute of Economic Affairs
• Date d'édition: 1978
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0255361122
• ISBN 13: 9780255361125
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 96
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible