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Ezra Mishan, Contrarian And Sage: An Appreciation

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  • PETER SINCLAIR

    (Department of Economics, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK)

Abstract

For many of us, the world is far too complicated to allow economic analysis to furnish a clear answer on an issue of policy. Ezra Mishan disagreed. For him, as for his teacher and mentor, Milton Friedman, economics was a system of reasoning that cried out to be used for that purpose - and especially so if prevailing orthodoxy was in error. Mishan was the first economist to attack the then universally held view that economic growth must be beneficial. Fifty years later, as we mourn his recent death, he is an inspiring and central figure in environmental economics, and an example of what can be done with practical welfare economics.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Sinclair, 2016. "Ezra Mishan, Contrarian And Sage: An Appreciation," The Singapore Economic Review (SER), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 61(03), pages 1-9, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:serxxx:v:61:y:2016:i:03:n:s0217590816400129
    DOI: 10.1142/S0217590816400129
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