Marshall’s Definition
Economics is the study of man in ordinary business of life. It enquires how he gets his income and here he uses it. It examines that part of individual and social action, which is most closely connected with the attainment and with the use of material requisites of well-beingIt is the study of wealth on one side and on the other side, which is more important, it is a part of the study of man.
Robbin’s Definition
“Economics is the science which studies human behaviour as a relationship between multiple ends and scarce means, which have alternative uses.”
Difference between Marshall's and Robbins:
1.Economic and non-economic activities:
Marshall classifies the human activities into economic and non-economic. Economic activities are related to physical goods which increases material welfare. According to him, Economics only studies the material welfare. But according to Robbins, all the human activities are under the study of economics where scarcity and choice arise.
2.Social and human science:
According to Marshall, economics is a social science which studies ordinary business of life. It does not study the extra ordinary man like Robbins Cruseo. But, In the view of Robbins, Economics is a human science which studies all the human being who involved in the use if scare means to fulfill the unlimited wants.
3.Normative and Positive Science:
Marshall Regards economics as a normative Science. Thus, The economics have the Responsibility of making Value Judgment, their functions is to examine the right or wrong of an economic activity. Robbins regards economics as a positive science. Thus The economists have no Responsibility of value Judgment i.e their task is not to examine the right or wrong of an economic activity. Their Responsibility is to explain and explore not to suggest.
4.Application in different Economics:
Marshall’s definition is applicable only in capitalist economy where individual freedom is but Robbin’s Definition is applicable in all types economies such as socialist,capitalist, and mixed economic system.