Positive statement
A statement which can be proven to be true or false.
Positive and normative statements
Key definitions
Normative statement
A subjective opinion which cannot be proven true or false.
Value judgement
A subjective view about what ought to happen.
Economic analysis
Often focuses on positive, testable issues.
Government policy
Often influenced by normative political values.
Healthcare comparison
Saying the NHS is 'fairer' than the US system is normative.
Spending data
Comparing UK and US healthcare spending per person is positive.
Evidence
Positive statements can be supported or refuted with data.
Opinion
Normative statements reflect beliefs, not provable facts.
Evaluation
Distinguishing positive from normative clarifies debate in essays.
Key concepts
Normative: 'The UK will be fine after Brexit' — opinion.
Governments make normative value judgements when deciding intervention.
Relevant tips
- Label statements as positive or normative before evaluating policy.
Examples & case studies
- Positive: 'Germany exported 1 million cars to the UK in 2018' — testable.