As part of a lecture titled “Normativity in Economics: Hans Albert’s Rational Politics Revisited,” Prof. Dr. Ute Schmiel provided insights into current research on the normative foundations of economic reasoning.

At the core of the lecture was the question of to what extent economic analyses are truly value-free. It starts from the observation that economics often focuses on examining relationships between means and outcomes (“if X, then Y”), while the underlying goals—such as efficiency or profit maximization—are frequently taken for granted. These implicit assumptions often remain unexamined, even though they significantly shape the conclusions drawn from economic analysis.

Building on the work of Hans Albert, the lecture further highlighted that the transition from empirical statements to policy recommendations—from “is” to “ought”—cannot occur without normative assumptions. As a result, economic policy recommendations are not based on facts alone but inevitably involve value judgments.

The lecture also addressed the tension between efficiency and equity. While efficiency is generally considered measurable within economic analysis, questions of fairness are often treated as subjective. However, the discussion demonstrated that such value-based considerations are not beyond rational debate but are in fact an integral part of economic reasoning and political decision-making.

Through these reflections, Prof. Dr. Schmiel illustrated key aspects of her research, which focuses on the methodological foundations of economic analysis as well as questions of justice and the justification of norms—particularly in the context of taxation.

You can find Prof. Dr. Schmiel’s current publications here.