ECON 307

In Class Exercise Ten - Bentham and Malthus

1.  According to Bentham, individual self interest is not always in the interest of society in general.  Explain his argument by using an example.  What did Bentham say was necessary to bring about a good society?  How do you think Smith would respond?  How might Turgot respond?

2.  A government policy should be judged by what criteria according to Bentham (and welfare economics. i.e. the idea of a "social utility function")?

3.  How did Bentham define the "general interest?"  How was it determined or measured?

4.  Discuss two criticisms of Bentham's welfare economics?

5.  Malthus thought that the population would increase ________________________? 

6.  Malthus thought that food production would increase _______________________?

7.  What was the "basic instinct" that would drive the population?

8.  What are the checks on population growth Malthus mentioned - Positive?  Preventive?

9.  Critique this subsistence economy theory of Malthus.

10.  Any other questions about this material?