ABSTRACT
Apart from the authoritative editorial appraisal of Knut Wicksell's general position as an economist, the main value of Professor Erik Lindahl's collection lies not so much in any novelties which it contains as in its provision of background material for and elucidation of positions adopted elsewhere. Wicksell became a convinced Utilitarian and it is probable that he was considerably influenced by John Stuart Mill's writings. So far as economic policy was concerned, Wicksell's radicalism developed chiefly in two connections. In the sphere of production, he urged strongly limitation of population, to be brought about not by Malthusian 'moral restraint' but by recourse to deliberate contraceptive methods. In the sphere of distribution, he opposed the regressive tax system of his day, favoured mild progression in income tax and strongly supported the taxation of inheritance. Perhaps Wicksell's greatest contribution to economic theory lay in the field of money and prices.
