Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify the economist associated with the "welfare-oriented" definition of economics, which shifted the focus from mere wealth to human welfare.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Different economists have defined economics from different perspectives:
\begin{itemize}
\item Adam Smith gave a wealth-oriented definition, defining economics as "an inquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of nations."
\item Alfred Marshall provided the welfare-oriented definition. In his book "Principles of Economics" (1890), he defined economics as "a study of mankind in the ordinary business of life; it examines that part of individual and social action which is most closely connected with the attainment and with the use of the material requisites of well-being."
\item Lionel Robbins gave a scarcity-oriented definition, defining economics as "the science which studies human behaviour as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses."
\end{itemize}
Marshall's definition is distinctly focused on human welfare as the central subject of economics.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The welfare-oriented definition of Economics was given by Alfred Marshall. Therefore, option (B) is the correct answer.
Match List-I with List-II
| List-I (Term/Name) | List-II (Characteristics) |
|---|---|
| (A) Privatisation | (I) Work which focuses on providing services like trade, transport, financial services etc. |
| (B) Disinvestment | (II) Spread of investment into different types of economic activities in order to reduce risks. |
| (C) Tertiary sector | (III) Private companies can invest in sectors earlier reserved for the government. |
| (D) Diversification | (IV) The government sells its share in public sector companies. |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below: