The ‘economics of politics’ and public expenditure: a critique1

1 November 1981

journal article
research article
Published by Taylor & Francis in Economy and Society

Vol. 10 (4) , 381-402
https://doi.org/10.1080/03085148100000006

Abstract

This paper attempts to criticise the explanations given by the ‘economics of politics’ for the growth of public expenditure in the UK, one of the major parts of the ‘revival’ of neo-classical economics in recent years. The focus is on the generality of arguments in this area and also on the particular arguments stressing the role of budget deficits in expanding the public sector. The paper is partly empirical in approach, but also draws some general implications from what are argued to be the failings of such conceptions of government activity.

Keywords

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit:

The Economic Advisory Council, 1930–1939
Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) ,1977
The Economic Approach to Human Behavior
Published by University of Chicago Press ,1976