Subj:    Re: Welfare economics

Date:   07/03/03

To:      Tony.Lawson@econ.cam.ac.uk

Dear Tony

Thanks very much.   This is no-one's area of speciality, to my utter surprise. 

The odd thing is that whenever I talk to people outside development economics,

they see immediately what I mean.  

I'm aware that what I am pointing out has political consequences.     The point

about longevity is open to (necessarily uninformed) opinions about the

truthfulness of official statements from governments on economic benefits.    

The point about the implications of adults needing more food than children is

obviously right.   So, many official statements from governments and UN agencies

about how well off people have become  -  even in terms of income or consumption

 -  are obviously wrong.  

Matt