Revealed-Preference Theory and Spatial Choices: Some Limitations

摘要: The various attempts that have been made to analyse and develop a theory of spatial choice are reviewed and the weaknesses of these attempts highlighted. In particular the use of revealed-preference theory is criticised on the grounds that mere modification of aspatial economic theories to take account of the spatial dimension may reduce the original aspatial economic theory to an inconsistent and nonoperational set of ideas. Neoclassical economic theory and behavioural notions are seen not as mutually exclusive but as points on a spectrum of possible choice models, and a general framework for the analysis of spatial choices is suggested which attempts to marry these approaches together in a logical, integrated way.