The first part of this title concerns Britain's policy problems since 1946. The subsequent part of the book considers how far economists' recommendations regarding policies have been derived from well-tested theories or how far they have been based on speculation, guesswork or judgement.

This book examines important issues on the relationship between economics and political values or ideologies, by analysing the main branches of economic theory in an historical perspective and their impact on economic policy. The book is structured as follows: Part I: Positive Economics? 1. The Positive-Normative Distinction in the History of Economic Thought Part II: Policy Objectives 2. The Objectives of Economic Policies: An Historical Review

This collection of essay examines the methodological problems confronting economists in the face of two major developments in the second half of the 20th century. The first is the vast increase in the number and variety of writings on the methodology or philosophy of economics, especially from those intensively specializing in methodology. This has led to the virtual breakdown in communication between methodologists and mainstream economists, with methodology becoming increasingly isolated from mainstream economics. The second major development has been what Benjamin Ward first called the...