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Opportunity meets self-constitution

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  • Christian Schubert

    (German University in Cairo (GUC))

Abstract

In his book “Community of Advantage,” Robert Sugden elaborates upon his opportunity criterion that is supposed to be rooted in economics’ liberal tradition, while also being compatible with basic behavioral economics insights, particularly into the inconsistency of real-world preferences. Some missing parts are identified in that criterion, and an alternative criterion is suggested, which is informed by Buchanan’s notion of individual self-constitution.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Schubert, 2021. "Opportunity meets self-constitution," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 68(1), pages 51-65, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:inrvec:v:68:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s12232-020-00360-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s12232-020-00360-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Malte F. Dold, 2018. "Back to Buchanan? Explorations of welfare and subjectivism in behavioral economics," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(2), pages 160-178, April.
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    7. Gerardo Infante & Guilhem Lecouteux & Robert Sugden, 2016. "‘On the Econ within’: a reply to Daniel Hausman," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(1), pages 33-37, March.
    8. Gerardo Infante & Guilhem Lecouteux & Robert Sugden, 2016. "Preference purification and the inner rational agent: a critique of the conventional wisdom of behavioural welfare economics," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(1), pages 1-25, March.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Opportunity criterion; Preference learning; Buchanan; Agency;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D04 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Policy: Formulation; Implementation; Evaluation

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