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This book calls attention to the social dimension of economics and
stresses the need for an ethical yardstick which can only be
provided by an interdisciplinary approach to the economy --
socio-economics. Current thought claims to account for ethics by
portraying economics as both positive and normative. The positive
aspect of economics is based on observable fact. This is typified
by the neoclassical school, which takes as its main premise the
hypothesis of individual economic rationality resulting in economic
decisions based on efficient market processes. The normative aspect
of economics involves value judgements. Economic theory
acknowledges that economic agents are free to express value
judgements, and if one point of view is to prevail, it can only be
the majority view based on an equitable democratic process.
Accordingly, strict application of the principles of the market
economy and political democracy should eliminate the need for a
separate ethical approach to economics. Despite this conclusion,
recent years have witnessed the need to introduce ethical
considerations into economics. For one, the distinction between the
normative and positive aspects of economics and their linking with
politics and economics, respectively, are gross
oversimplifications. In addition, numerous market failures make it
difficult to accept efficient markets as the determinant of all
economic decisions. Finally, democratic processes are hard to
maintain due to society's inability to develop a sense of
solidarity. This book provides the ethical yardstick' necessary in
analyzing economic decisions, institutions and policies discussed
in relation with environment protection.
When it was originally published this book presented the first
independent review of the critical role played by multinationals in
Europe. Extending its focus beyond 1992, the book examines both the
economic and business strategy frameworks the firms need to develop
to maintain a competitive advantage. Using case-studies from
specific industries, it looks not only at the activity of
multinationals within the single market but explores the
competitive strategies of non-European firms with special emphasis
on Japanese companies which were poised to exploit 1992. The
importance of interaction between multinationals and national
government policies is also analysed taking into account the
integration already achieved.
A study of local government and politics in China, exploring when
and why local government officials comply with policy directives
from above. The author draws on interviews with government
officials in various municipalities and a review of county records
and other government documents.
A study of local government and politics in China, exploring when
and why local government officials comply with policy directives
from above. The author draws on interviews with government
officials in various municipalities and a review of county records
and other government documents.
When it was originally published this book presented the first
independent review of the critical role played by multinationals in
Europe. Extending its focus beyond 1992, the book examines both the
economic and business strategy frameworks the firms need to develop
to maintain a competitive advantage. Using case-studies from
specific industries, it looks not only at the activity of
multinationals within the single market but explores the
competitive strategies of non-European firms with special emphasis
on Japanese companies which were poised to exploit 1992. The
importance of interaction between multinationals and national
government policies is also analysed taking into account the
integration already achieved.
This book is intended as a warning against the kind of hard-core
liberalism which blames state intervention for the disappointing
results achieved in matters of macroeconomic, competition and
social welfare policy. In calling attention to the social dimension
of economics, the book stresses the need for an ethical yardstick
which can only be pro vided by an interdisciplinary approach to the
economy. One current school of thought claims to have bridged the
gap by por traying economics as both positive and normative.
However, this inter pretation is inadequate. The positive aspect of
economics, reflecting an approach common in the natural sciences,
is based on observable facts. It highlights causal relationships
and seeks to analyse economic mechanisms on the basis of available
information. This has led to an emphasis on purely deductive
methods, which form the basis for many of the conclusions in main
stream economics. This current of thought is typified by the
neoclassical school, which takes as its main premise the
much-disputed hypothesis of economic rationality. Human behaviour
is deemed to be rational when consumers maximize their satisfaction
and producers their profits, sub ject to the constraints of income
and production costs respectively. Opt imal strategies for both
consumers and producers can best be determined by the mechanism of
market forces."
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