Explain Robbin's definition of economics. Give its criticism.

Hey Mutaiyeb,

Robbins’ definition of economics is as follows: “Economics is a science which studies human behaviour as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses.”

Scarcity definition of economics stated by Robbins has been criticised on the following grounds:

1. Negligence towards the welfare scope of Economics: Many Economists have pointed out that Robbins has failed to     explain the welfare scope of Economics. According to them, this definition has made Economics a challenging and        insensitive subject.

2. Cannot Consider Economics always as a Positive Science : Robbins in his definition, has considered Economics as a Positive Science. While criticising the statement, Frazer has said that '' Economics is something more than a value theory" as it deals with human behaviour, which is uncertain in nature therefore economics can be considered as a normative science and art too.

3. Unnecessary widened the scope of Economics: In his definition, Robbins has unnecessarily extended the scope of economics to all mankind activities. For e.g. time is a scarce mean, we have to make choices that how we need to allocate it among different activities. However, this cannot be considered as an economic problem as the problems related to the allocation of resources/income is to be considered as a major part of economic problem.

4. Scarcity-Cause of Economic Problem: As this forms the crux of the Robbins definition but he regarded scarcity as the only cause for the advent of economic problems, where many other problems like problem of unemployment, depression etc. are regarded as major economic problems, but these problems do not cater scarcity as their cause.