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The Consumer in his/her Social Setting — a Subjectivist View

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Beyond Positive Economics?

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Abstract

The aims of this paper are both critical and constructive, in keeping with the general theme of the conference. It will be argued that positive economics, as it is conventionally practised, is particularly weak in the area of consumer theory because its methodology prevents it from generating any practically applicable results. This will be followed by an attempt to show that it is possible to go ‘beyond positive economics’ with a subjectivist analysis of consumer behaviour which can actually be used by economists in industry when, for example, they are called upon to advise on appropriate strategies for launching new products in oligopolistic markets.

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© 1983 The British Association for the Advancement of Science

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Earl, P. (1983). The Consumer in his/her Social Setting — a Subjectivist View. In: Wiseman, J. (eds) Beyond Positive Economics?. British Association for the Advancement of Science. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-16992-4_11

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