Public Policy and Economic Theory

Originally published in 1970 this textbook on applied economics focusses on those parts of theory which have specifically made a contribution to policy problems. The book provides a coherent treatment of the subject at a particular level – the subject being the application of economic theory to government intervention in the economy. The first part deals with the techniques and size of such intervention and the accepted objectives. It also uses economic analysis to show that the goals of government policy will not be produced by a free-market mechanism and so the government is obliged to intervene in the economy once it has chosen particular policy aims. Part 2 analyses specific examples of intervention.