This paper argues that welfare economics should be restored to a prominent place on the agenda of economists and should occupy a central role
in the teaching of economics.
Economists should provide justification for the ethical criteria underlying
welfare statements, and these criteria require constant reevaluation in the light of developments in economic analysis and in moral philosophy.
Economists need to be more explicit about
the relation between welfare criteria and the objectives of governments, policy-makers and individual citizens.
Moreover, such a restoration of welfare economics should be accompanied by consideration of the adoption of ethical guidelines for the economics profession. (..)
Scarica e leggi il testo integrale di
The Restoration of Welfare Economics di Anthony B. Atkinson in allegato.