Scope of Economics:
The scope of economics is the area or boundary of the economics study. In scope of economics we answer and analyze the following three main questions.
(1) What is the subject matter of economics?
(2) What is the nature of economics?
(3) What are the limitations of economics?
(1) Subject matter of Economics. There is a difference of opinion among economists regarding the subject-matter of Economics. Adam smith., the father of modern Economic Theory, defined Economics as a subject, which is mainly concerned with the study of nature and causes of generation of wealth of nation. Impressed by the condemnation of the 19th century writers, like Carlyle and Ruskin, Marshall introduced the concept of welfare in the study of economics. According to Marshall “Economics is a study of mankind in the ordinary business of life. it examines that part of individual and social actions which is closely connected with the material requisites of well being”. In this definition, Marshall has shifted the emphasis from wealth to man. He gives primary importance to man and secondary importance to wealth.
The Robbinsian’s concept of the subject-matter of economics is that “Economics is a science which we studies about the human behavior as relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses”. According to Robbins (i) human wants are unlimited (ii) means at his disposal to satisfy these wants are not only limited, (iii) but have alternative uses. Man is always busy in adjusting his limited resources for the satisfaction of unlimited ends. The problems that centre “round such activities constitute the subject-matters of Economics.
Paul A Samuelson, however, includes the dynamic aspects of economics in the subject matter. According to him, Economics is the study of how man and society choose with or without money, to employ productive uses to produce different types of commodities eventually and distribute them for a utilization now and in future among various people and groups of society”.
(2) Nature of economics: The economists are also divided regarding the nature of economics. The following questions are generally covered in the nature of economics
(i) Is economics a science or an art?
(ii) Is it a positive science or a normative science?
Economics is both a science and an art. Economics is both a science and arts. Economics is considered as a science because it is a systematic knowledge derived from observation, study and experimentation. However, the degree of perfection of economics laws less compared with the laws of pure sciences.
An art is the practical application of knowledge for achieving definite ends. A science teaches us to know a phenomenon and an art teaches us to do a thing. For example, there is inflation in USA. This information is derived from positive science. The government takes certain fiscal and monetary measures to bring down the general level prices in the country. The study of these fiscal and monetary measures to bring down inflation makes the subject of economics as an art.
After arriving at a conclusion that economics is both a science as well as an art, here arises another controversy. Is economics a positive science or a normative science?
(3) Economics as a positive or normative science. There is again difference of opinions among economists whether economics is a positive or normative science. Lionel Robbins, Senior and Friedman have described economics as a positive science. They opined that economics is based on logic. It is a value theory only. It is, therefore, neutral between ends.
Marshall, Pigou, Hawtrey, Keynes and. many other economists regard economics as a_normative_science. According to them, the real function of the science to increase the well-being of man. They have given suggestions in their works for promotion of human welfare. For example, Malthus has given suggestions of checking the rising population. J.M. Keynes has suggested measures to remove unemployment.
We agree with Mr. Frazer, that an economist who is only an economist is a poor pretty fish. An economist must come forward to give advice to the problems facing the human being like depression, unemployment, high prices, etc., for increasing his welfare. Economics, to conclude, has both theoretical as well as practical side. In other words, It is both positive and a normative science.
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