Superiority of Robbins Economics

1.       It is more scientific, since it is not based on artificial classification of wants, as material and non-material. Robbins’ definition is independent of such classification.

2.       As defined by Robbins, economics has a much wider content. It takes into account all types of human wants, material or non-material, as well as all types persons whether living in society or not.

3.       Robbins greatly widened the scope of economics. Marshall had restricted it to wealth and activities, which related to the material welfare of man only.

4.       Robbins made economics a positive science whereas Marshall regarded it as a normative science. Economics was thus freed from the responsibility of making value judgments. It had only to declare general economic principles. It was no longer it function to examine the right or wrong of an economic activity.

5.       Robbins’ definition was not charged of ‘Gospel of mammon’ and ‘Dismal Science’ like as Adam Smith’s definition. Thus, Robbins’ definition is superior both to the Marshallian and Adam Smith’s definition.