> From: Robin Hanson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Can an economist, as
> economist, favor one set of policies over the other as better
> economic policy?
Yes, if he clearly lays out the criteria, such as the policy having a lower
excess burden. But if two sets of policies have various positive and
negative effects, then one clear choice would generally not be possible.
If the elements of one set of policies all have a lower excess economic
burden than the elements of another set, then by the criterion of excess
burden, the first would be preferred. It can generally be assumed that the
public would prefer policies that have less waste and social cost than
those which have more, other elements being equal.
Fred Foldvary
