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Forty Years of Public Economics: A Personal Perspective

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  • Jacques H. Dreze

Abstract

This paper presents a personal perspective on the field of public economics with emphasis on the interplay of theory and applications. In the early 1950s, theoretical developments grew out of practical applications. Yet, few economists succeed in creatively linking theory to real problems and our professional organization fails to promote adequately such contributions. The author also discusses briefly the success of public economics, its fragmentation into subfields, and its relation to macroeconomics. The writing of this paper was prompted by the author's participation in editing a volume of selected papers by William Vickrey, whose work is exemplary of the perspective presented here.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacques H. Dreze, 1995. "Forty Years of Public Economics: A Personal Perspective," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 9(2), pages 111-130, Spring.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:jecper:v:9:y:1995:i:2:p:111-30
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/jep.9.2.111
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    Cited by:

    1. Williamson, Oliver E., 2010. "Transaction Cost Economics: The Natural Progression," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 86(3), pages 215-226.
    2. Mongin, P., 1999. "Normes et jugements de valeur en economie normative," Papers 99-20, Paris X - Nanterre, U.F.R. de Sc. Ec. Gest. Maths Infor..
    3. Shoup, Donald C., 2004. "The ideal source of local public revenue," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 753-784, November.
    4. Richard Arnott, 1998. "William Vickrey: Contributions to Public Policy," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 5(1), pages 93-113, February.
    5. Williamson, Oliver E., 2010. "Transaction Cost Economics: The Origins," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 86(3), pages 227-231.
    6. Oliver E. Williamson, 2014. "The Transaction Cost Economics Project," Montenegrin Journal of Economics, Economic Laboratory for Transition Research (ELIT), vol. 10(1), pages 7-12.
    7. Pierre Pestieau, 1994. "The current state and future directions of public finance," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 1(2), pages 169-174, October.
    8. David, Laurent & Le Breton, Michel & Merillon, Olivier, 2007. "Kolm as a Contributor to Public Utility Pricing, Second Best Culture and the Theory of Regulation," IDEI Working Papers 490, Institut d'Économie Industrielle (IDEI), Toulouse.
    9. Agnar Sandmo, 1999. "Asymmetric Information and Public Economics: The Mirrlees-Vickrey Nobel Prize," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 13(1), pages 165-180, Winter.
    10. Guillem López i Casasnovas & David Casado i Marín, "undated". "Análisis prospectivo de la oferta de servicios públicos en España," Studies on the Spanish Economy 28, FEDEA.
    11. David, Laurent & Le Breton, Michel & Merillon, Olivier, 2007. "Public Utility Pricing and Capacity Choice with Stochastic Demand," IDEI Working Papers 489, Institut d'Économie Industrielle (IDEI), Toulouse.
    12. Maria Elena Tudor, 2011. "Administrative Services Public Market," Annals of University of Craiova - Economic Sciences Series, University of Craiova, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, vol. 1(39), pages 100-109.
    13. World Bank, 2005. "Primer on Demand-Side Management : With an Emphasis on Price-Responsive Programs," World Bank Publications - Reports 8252, The World Bank Group.

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    • H00 - Public Economics - - General - - - General

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