In the early 1930s Hayek, too, was reluctant to connect economic analysis to any social or po liti cal ideology. He aligned himself with Robbins's methodological views, agreeing with his colleague's argument that economists should avoid claims to normative expertise. His inaugural lecture explicitly praised Robbins for having “so effectively impressed upon us, that science by itself can never prove what ought to be done.” He also agreed with Robbins's contention that the philosophical limitations of economics should not prevent its practitioners from participating in po liti cal debates. Because the economist's tools were needed to determine “the best policy” for achieving ends that were widely shared, Hayek concluded that it would be appropriate for economists to criticize proposals for social improvement if they “were not conducive to the desired end” or “policies of a radically different nature would bring about the desired result.”

Angus Burgin, The Great Persuasion, loc. 132