Normative or Positive?

Question

Which of the following statements are positive, and which are

normative? Write positive or normative in each blank.

a. The minimum wage creates unemployment among young

and unskilled workers. ?

b. The minimum wage ought to be abolished?

c. If the price of a product in a market decreases, other things equal, quantity demanded will increase.?

d. A little bit of inflation is worse for society than a little bit of unemployment. ?

e. There is a tradeoff between inflation and unemployment in the short run. ?

f. If consumer income increases, other things equal, the demand for automobiles will increase. ?

g. The U.S. income distribution is not equitable. ?

h. U.S. workers deserve more liberal unemployment benefits. ?

i. If interest rates increase, investment will decrease. ?

j. If welfare benefits were reduced, the country would be better off.?

Answer 1

a. positive - describes

b. normative - recommends

c. positive - describes

d. normative - value statement

e. positive - describes

f. positive - describes

g. normative - value statement

h. normative - recommends

i. positive - describes

j. normative - value statement

Answer 2

a. positive if it's based on research. normative if it's a propaganda tool.

b. normative

c. positive. It's an if/then statement. I can't see how it can be normative.

d. like (a) both positive and normative.

e. like (a)

f. positive

g. like (a)

h. normative

i. positive. I guess this particular statement can be normative also, depending on the context.

j. like (i)

All these statements should be placed in the context to have a good judgment about them.