Explain any two criticisms of the scarcity-centric definition of Robbins.
Answers
Explanation:
“Economics is a science which studies human behaviour as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses.” – Prof. Lionel Robbins.
Important Characteristics of Robbins’ Definition:
(i) Unlimited Wants:
Human wants are unlimited in number. Whenever one want is satisfied, then automatically several wants grow up.
Hence it is endless. With the progress in civilization and development science and technology numerous wants are developed. Again several human wants are reoccurring too. Hence, wants are ‘ever growing and never ending’.
(ii) Limited Means:
Human wants are unlimited but resources or means to satisfy them are limited. The means refer to goods and services which we use to satisfy our wants. They are material and non- material goods like time, money, services, resources etc. These resources are scarce.
Here the term scarcity is used not in the absolute sense but in the relative sense i.e., in relation to demand. A commodity may be available in small quantity but if nobody demands, it then it is not scarce. Hence, the scarce means are the basis of all economic problems. Because, if all these means or resources are not scarce, then there will be no problem in economics.
(iii) Alternative Use of Resource:
All the scarce means can be used in more than one purpose. In other words, they can be used in several purposes. For instance, land is very scarce, but land can be used for construction of buildings, cultivation, playground etc. Likewise, all these economic resources are used for various purposes. Thus, in reality goods can be put to alternative uses of varying importance