Análisis del concepto de Economía: la falacia de Robbins

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to present the need to arrive to a definition for the term «economy», from which we can conceive a valid order. This order must offer a solution to the fundamental economic problems of our times that the capitalist system, currently in force, has demonstrated to be unable to solve. Famine, poverty, unemployment, underdevelopment, asymmetric growth, exaggerated speculation, lack of efficiency in the use of technology for humanitarian purposes, etc. are major economic problems whose solution admits no delay. Due to the conceptual error in which the conventional economic theories have incurred, these theories are of no use to solve these problems. To elucidate this question, we have carried out a revision of the current concept of «economy» used at academic level in universities of developed countries. Afterwards, we have analysed the definition of the term «economy» proposed by Lionel Robbins, and explained why this definition is considered as fallacious. Finally, we offer a new definition for the concept of economy, based on the ethical principles of benefit, the equitable efficiency and common good, stating why this new conceptualisation can engender a model of economy considered applicable in order to give a solution to the problems above mentioned.