经济学的成功产生了所谓经济学帝国主义，应用经济学的观点和方法考察通常认为是属于其它学科对象的人类行为。“The prospect that economic logic may pervade the study of all branches of human behavior is as exciting as any development in the history of economics, or, for that matter, in the history of science. (p. 203)” 完全可以理解，这种扩张并不受欢迎。“Each time I have mentioned a new field that economists have invaded, it has been appropriate to say that they were unwelcome to the specialists in that field, whether politics, sociology, or law. That is perhaps to be expected: Who wants to be told to learn a new language and a new approach to familiar problems? (p. 203)” 但情绪上的抵触并不能改变逻辑上必然，只要有牵涉选择的有目的行为，就可以成为经济学研究对象。“Economics is the study of purposive behavior involving choice. There needs to be a purpose, whether it be survival or warmth to companionship or avoidance fo boredon—or a midday repast. There needs to be choice; choice of when to do something, how to do it, or with what means (resources) or with whom. (p. 205)”

Stigler对所谓经济学帝国主义作了简明的阐述。经济学应用于人类各种活动的依据在于“…economic logic is the logic of all efficient behavior. (p. 195)” 具体地就是供求关系，“He was stating that the action was taken because it was not costly—even philanthropy reflects the law of demand: people will always buy more of anything when its price is reduced. (p. 194)” 因此经济学无处不在。“The very nature of economic logic invites a sweepingly wider application of economic analysis to social phenomeno. An economic problem is a problem of choosing efficiently among alternative ways to use resources, whether the resources are dollars, a bowl of whipped cream, available time, or even a reputation for honesty and skill. (p. 193)”

真正把经济学帝国主义发扬光大的是Becher，他因此还得了Nobel奖。Stigler自然要提到他的工作。“Gary Becher employed the theory of international trade in studying discrimination to reach conclusions such as these: (1) a small minority loses heavily by discrimination; a larger majority loses little; and (2) retaliatory discrimination by the minority against the majority increases the losses of the minority. (p. 196)” 这个结论其实对现实是很有指导意义的。

Becher另个有趣的工作是从经济角度分析家庭，Stigler也对此进行简述。“Children are viewed as a durable good, primarily a consumer’s durable, which yields income, primarily psychic income [pleasure], to parents. (p. 197)” “Even in this age of high and rising divorce rates and extensimve nonmarital cohabitation, marriage is the most durable and important personal relationship between people. The marriage contract—it is a contract by law even if the couple enter no other written agreements—is fundamental inevery society; it provides the institutional framework for the perpetuation of the human race. …males and females choose their mates with a view to macimizing their income: No other available match promises so much (p. 197) to each. Becher defines ‘income’ broadly, of course. It comprises an entire life-style including children, a comportable home, and a desirable social life. …Is it not proper that so deep and lasting an association should be reached through rational thought? Would one expect much of a partnership that was formed without regard for the long-run consequences of that association? (p. 198)” 顺便一提，Becher的《家庭经济分析》是我最早购买的经济学著作之一。

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