Along with others, I have tried to pry economists away from narrow assumptions about self interest. Behavior is driven by a much richer set of values and preferences.
Gary BeckerEven a wizard would have a great deal of difficulty repealing the economic law that higher minimum wages reduce employment. Since politicians are not wizards, they should not try.
Gary BeckerStill, intuitive assumptions about behavior is only the starting point of systematic analysis, for alone they do not yield many interesting implications.
Gary BeckerWhy in almost all societies have married women specialized in bearing and rearing children and in certain agricultural activities, whereas married men have done most of the fighting and market work?
Gary Becker