Efficiency, Effectiveness and Legitimation: Criteria for the Evaluation of Norms

Abstract. The paper deals with the mutual interest of both economic and social theory in exploring a broader concept of the rational and in finding validity claims for rational discourse. Efficiency and effectiveness are discussed as possible validity criteria in evaluating norms in practical discussion. In addition to the problem of defining validity criteria for argumentation on norms and social choices, a major difficulty arises from the lack of a legitimate reflective centre in society which could integrate behaviour with norms and metapreferences. As ways of motivating cooperative, collective action, both norm commitment and self-interest should be appealed to.