Economics, Government and Society

This chapter takes a look at some of the implications of economic techniques for modern governments and societies. The first part deals with a now familiar theme; how far can the new budgetary techniques which seem to promise so much actually change or ‘reform’ the processes of bargaining over resource allocation? The next section offers some speculations — they are no more — about the influence of economic ideas and techniques upon the organisation of government. The final section reverts once more to the theme of rational decision-making, relates this to certain ideals of welfare economics, and asks where these ideals are pointing and why they are influential in the modern world. Again the tone is speculative, and the verdict though critical is not intended to be dogmatic.