INCREASING RETURNS IN MILITARY PRODUCTION FUNCTIONS,
Abstract
The central issue for the paper can be put in terms of this contrast: Where and why does analytic marginalism apply well to military problems, and where not and why. Consequently when must economic analysis establish a relevant resource level before applying marginal cost/effectiveness tests. Given this central focus, the related problem is almost automatically treated: How improve mutual understanding and communication between military professionals and the civilian analysts of military problems who, although they are for the most part not economists by training, are applying economic principles in their quantitative tests. Both of these questions arise, above all, in determining what aggregate military 'requirements' are to be, as distinct from determining which among competing alternative weapon systems or forces is to fulfill a given requirement. They arise when the scale of military operations for a particular theater or function is itself brought into question, and therefore the total budget for it. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0629880
Entities
People
- Malcolm W. Hoag
Organizations
- RAND Corporation