Why did Becker apply economics to social issues?
I believed that the fundamental tools of economic analysis—incentives, constraints, and rational choice—could illuminate a vast array of human behaviors. By framing social problems as the result of individuals pursuing their self-interest within specific environments, we can derive testable hypotheses and gain deeper insights. This approach allows for a more rigorous and systematic understanding of phenomena that were previously considered too complex or subjective for economic study.
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