SEMAINE D'ÉTUDE SUR LE ROLE DE L'ANALYSE ECONOMETRIQUE ETC. 
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of the scarcity type. As we know, the typical marginalistic 
scheme of general equilibrium is a model of what has been 
called a pure exchange economy. (3). The model presupposes 
the existence of given natural resources in fixed quantities, and 
of a given number of individuals (owning the resources) with 
well-defined utility preferences. The economic problem these 
‘ndividuals have is one of rational choice. They have to find 
‘hose prices (equilibrium prices) which bring about, through 
exchange, an optimum allocation of the given resources rela- 
lively to their original ownership-distribution. The problem 
can be represented analytically by a mathematical function 
which is being maximized, subject to certain constraints fixed 
oy nature. 
Of course, marginalist economists have then gone on to 
investigating all other economic problems as well (production 
included). The relevant point is, however, that they have 
done so by an extension of the theory they had originally 
developed for scarce commodities. Professor SAMUELSON, at 
the very beginning of what is one of the most rigorous versions 
of marginal economic analysis, claims exactly this. He claims 
to have been able to isolate a simple theory which can be 
applied to every economic investigation: a mathematical func- 
lion to be maximized under given constraints (%). 
This has been a crucial step. For, in this way, every single 
corner of economic theory has come to be permeated by the 
character of scarce goods and by the rational problem of 
making the best use we can of them, at the expense of the 
character of produced goods and of the learning process of 
human beings. It has meant that modern economists have 
(°) See, for example: J.L. Mosak, General Equilibrium Theory in Inter- 
rational Trade, Bloomington, Indiana, 1944. The same scheme can be found 
n the very first chapters of all standard treatises of marginal economics. 
See, for example: V. Pareto, Cours d’économie politique. Lausanne, 1895; 
J.R. Hicks, Value and Capital, Oxford, 1939; P.A. SaMUELsoN, Foundations 
of Economic Analysis, Cambridge Mass., 1947). 
) P.A. SAMUELSON, op. cit., pp. 1 and ff 
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