 Analysis is relative to "accepted solutions of particular problems" based on best modern practice as referenced, especially including the works of Philip Wicksteed, Ludwig von Mises, and other Continental European economists.Robbins disclaims originality but expresses hope to have given expository force on a very few points to some principles "not always clearly stated" (1935, pp.xiv-xvi)

Robbins develops and defends several propositions about the relation of scarcity to economics and of economic theory to science, including the following.