The Heterodox Theory of Social Costs : By K. William Kapp

The core of this book are the chapters on the social costs of markets and neoclassical economics, the social benefits of environmental controls, development planning, and the governance of science and technology. These chapters convincingly argue for socio-ecological safety standards that yield social benefits and sustainable development. In this, Kapp refutes conventional solutions, such as bargaining, taxation, and tort law as ineffective, inefficient, inconsistent, and too market-obedient. This book demonstrates the fruitfulness of the heterodox theory on social costs. The latter is a coherent alternative to neoclassical economics and an effective remedy for urgent socio-economic and ecological problems.

K. William Kapp’s heterodox theory of social costs proposes precautionary planning to pre-empt social costs and provide social benefits via socio-ecological safety standards that guarantee the gratification of basic human needs.

Based on arguments from Thorstein Veblen, Karl Marx, and Max Weber, social costs are conceptualized as systemic and large-scale damages caused by markets. Kapp refutes neoclassical solutions, such as bargaining, taxation, and tort law, unmasking them as ineffective, inefficient, inconsistent, and too market-obedient.

The chapters of this book present the social costs of markets and neoclassical economics, the social benefits of environmental controls, development planning, and the governance of science and technological standards. This book demonstrates the fruitfulness of the heterodox theory of social costs as a coherent framework to develop effective remedies for today’s urgent socio-ecological crises.

This volume is suitable for readers at all levels who are interested in the theory of social costs, heterodox economics, and the history of economic thought.