distinguish between definition of marshall and robbins
Answers
Differences Between Marshall’s & Robbins Definition:-
We observe the following dissimilarities between the two definitions.
Economic Activity – Material / Immaterial:-
Marshall believes in only material activities which promote material welfare.
Robbins believes in both material and immaterial activities to tackle the problem of choice.
Social science / Natural Science:-
For Marshall, Economics is a social science.
On the other hand, Robbins is of the view that Economics is natural science like Physics, Chemistry, etc.
Normative Science / Positive Science:-
Marshall is of the opinion that in Economics, we not only consider the problems as they are but we also suggest that how the given problem should be tackled. It means according to Marshall, Economics is basically a normative science.
Robbins thinks otherwise. He says that economists must be just neutral observers of economic events around them, ignoring their personal likings. They can talk of facts only.
Hence Robbins believes that Economics is basically a positive science in which the economists describe the economics facts as they are.
Classification / Universality:-
Marshall has classified the goods into material / non-material and Individuals into social / isolated.
Robbins does not believe in such artificial classification. He has analyzed economic problem which appears due to multiple wants and scarce means. It is a universal phenomenon.
Practical / Theoretical:-
Marshall’s definition is practical in nature. This definition is useful for economic policies.
Robbin’s definition is theoretical in nature.
Social / Isolated Individual:-
Marshall considers only the activities of a social person. It ignores the activities of an isolated person.
Robbins considers activities of both the persons, i.e. activities of a social person and activities of an isolated person.
Appreciable / Non-appreciable Activities:-
Marshall considers only appreciable activities of a social person.
Robbins considers both appreciable and inappreciable activities of both the social person and isolated person.
Human Touch:-
Marshall concentrates on human material welfare. He gives due importance to man.
Robbins focuses on the scarcity of resources. He gives no importance to man.
Welfare / Scarcity:-
Marshall’s definition is based on the concept of human material welfare.
Robbin’s definition is based on the concept of scarcity of resources.
Scope of Economics:-
Marshall considers only material aspects of human welfare. It reflects the limited scope of Economics.
Robbins makes no difference between material and non-material aspects. It indicates the wider scope of Economics.
Moral Values:-
Marshall’s definition makes a direct link of economic activities with moral values.
Robbin’s definition has nothing to do with moral or ethical values. It is the problem of social reformers, politicians etc.
Subjective / Objective:-
The concept of welfare in Marshall’s definition is subjective and it varies from person to person and place to place.
The concept of scarcity in Robbins’ definition is objective and applicable equally to every person or to every place.
Qualitative / Quantitative:-
The concept of welfare is a qualitative phenomenon in Marshall’s definition and we cannot measure it.
The concept of scarcity is a quantitative phenomenon in Robbin’s definition and we can measure it.
Cause / Effect:-
In Marshall’s definition, a major concern is a material welfare which is the effect of economic development.
Robbin’s definition is primarily concerned with the allocation of scarce resources which is the cause of economic development.
Vague / Clear:-
The pivot of Marshall’s definition is welfare which is a vague concept and its indicators change with the passage of time.
Robbin’s definition is based on a clear concept of scarcity and its basic indicator, i.e. excess demand sustains.
Macro / Micro Approach:-
In Marshall’s definition, material welfare is a macro phenomenon.
In Robbin’s definition, major macro problems like unemployment, inflation have not been considered. It concentrates only on micro aspects of economic activities.
Conclusion:-
On the basis of the above-mentioned facts, it is concluded that though Marshall’s definition of Economics has a remarkable status in economic literature, yet Robbin’s definition is logically better.
That is why modern economists own it and prefer it to classical’s and neo-classical’s definition of Economics.