Two contrasting schools of thought relating to macroeconomics are classical economics and Keynesian economics. Their respective theories have persisted to the present day despite having been conceived centuries ago (Classical theory, 2016). Their significance is still relevant today, as their value lies in certain historical events that tested and tempered them. Events that shook the foundations of one institution while paving a path for the other. This paper will give a brief introduction of each one followed by an analysis of their underlying concepts in order to provide an accurate contrast and comparison. Late 20th century developments in macroeconomics will also be discussed, to serve as a testament to society’s continued progression of
Classical economics was firmly established by an economist named David Ricardo, which held favor in the realm of economic theory until the history changing event of the Great Depression in 1929 (Rittenberg & Tregarthen, 2012).
Keynesian economics, named after its founder economist John Maynard Keynes, gained traction around the time of the Great Depression. According to Rittenberg and Tregarthen (2012), Keyne proposed alternative views that helped make sense of the tumultuous state of the economy and account for what was happening in both Britain and USA during the 1930s. Essentially, it succeeded and filled in the gaps, so to speak, where classical economics failed.
In the most basic sense, as described by Rittenberg and Tregarthen (2012), classical economics favors the long run and assumes that changes in the economy are primarily caused by shifts in aggregate supply. This focus on the long run aggregate supply curve also relies on the
THE AGGREGATE VALUE PARADIGM SHIFT
According to Rittenberg & Tregarthen (2012), since the 1980s a movement called New Keynesian economics has taken center stage in explaining macroeconomic changes occurring over the last three decades. Borrowing concepts based on monetary policy practices and the focus of classical theory on aggregate supply, New Keynesian economics takes these aspects into consideration for both the short run and long run. Additionally, it has also included a greater focus on the relation of microeconomic conditions with macroeconomic phenomena (Rittenberg & Tregarthen,
Franklin D. Roosevelt, president of the united states from 1933 to 1945 (and the distant cousin of Theodore Roosevelt), was the first to convert to Keynes’s theories. He implemented massive public works programs to put people to work. Called the “New Deal”, an echo of Theodore Roosevelt’s square deal, it consisted of a series of programs from 1933 to 1938. As well as providing employment through massive works projects such as the Tennessee valley authority, which built dams to generate electricity. New deal programs provided emergency relief, reformed the banking system, and tried to invigorate agriculture and the economy. Many other programs were also put into place with were used to attemp...
Comparing Keynesian Economics and Supply Side Economic Theories Two controversial economic policies are Keynesian economics and Supply Side economics. They represent opposite sides of the economic policy spectrum and were introduced at opposite ends of the 20th century, yet still are the most famous for their effects on the economy of the United States when they were used. The founder of Keynesian economic theory was John Maynard Keynes.
“Yes, It’s the economy, stupid, but is it demand or supply?” was published on January 24, 2014 by Paul De Grauwe for CEPS Commentary. The ‘wrong medicine’ as De Grauwe says, continually goes to the problems, but never seems to solve them correctly. Before 1970, there was a focus on demand shock, in 1970 there was a focus on demand shock for a supply shock, and in 2008-09, there is a focus on supply shock for a demand shock. Development on different models started to try to predict the shocks, and the creation of the supply-side model to replace the Keynesian model began. Repeating of old mistakes, it seemed in 2008 that the economists had not learned a thing from the 1970s. Economists do not seem to always learn from old mistakes, but in the end, sometimes it takes several repeats and misdiagnoses to get things done correctly.
Adam Smith, David Ricardo and Thomas Malthus have all greatly influenced how people thought about modern economics, especially in areas relating to markets, in terms of the economy and whether certain things affected population rates. In this essay I will cover each of the three topic areas and how each economist interpreted these areas in order to explain why certain phenomena occur within British economics, most of which are still widely accepted today.
Keynes and Hayek represent different options. Should we steer markets or set them free? “Which way should we choose, More bottom up or more top down?” (Fight of the Century). These questions reflect the opposite ways Keynes and Hayek address the economy. Keynes wants to “steer” the economy from the “top down.” From his understanding of the economy, Keynes theorizes that the market can be directed by those with the power to do so to accomplish goals leading to a prosperous economy. This is the basis in his approach to dealing with recessions where the government or central bank manipulates the economy. The other side is a free market from the “bottom up” on which Hayek stakes his claim. Instead of steering the economy, Hayek proposes to leave it alone. Do not try to control it, but let the market determine the interest rate and price level, as it eventually will, through supply and demand. In this way, control is not exerted downward, but reality is expressed from basic economic forces. Fundamentally, Keynes’s model focuses more on the spending and consumption aspects of GDP, and Hayek’s approach focuses more on the investing aspect which flows from saving. These are the options from which to choose. Keynes vs. Hayek, Short run vs. long run, controlled vs. free, top down vs. bottom up, each possibility has its negatives and positives. This debate is not wrapped up
John Maynard Keynes, British economist, journalist, was born on June 5th 1883, in Cambridge, England. His father, Dr. John Neville Keynes, was an economist and a philosopher. Keynes attended Eton and then Cambridge University. At first he studied Mathematics but then turned his attention to Economics when he was offered the job at the British treasurer after the First World War when the British economy was at pressure. A man who gained a modicum amount of wealth during 1919 to 1938, married to Lydia Lopokova in 1926 and passed away in April 21st, 1946. Keynes believed that price level has to be stabled in order to have a stabled economy, and that is only possible if interest rates go down when prices rise. He also believed that the market forces alone will not deliver full employment but boosting government spending (main force of the economy in Keynes theory) will aim in his theory full employment or close to that. He believes by Governments intervening and spending will finally stop recession, unemployment and most importantly depression. For spending will increase the aggregate demand of the economy.
John Maynard Keynes classical approach to economics and the business cycle has dominated society, especially the United States. His idea was that government intervention was necessary in a properly functioning economy. One economic author, John Edward King, claimed of the theory that:
I believe that it's’ important to use our constitution as a guiding tool to help appoint the correct people for the job.John Maynard Keynes was a British economist where he fundamentally changed the theory and practices of macroeconomics and economic policies of government. Although he was revolutionary most of his policies were controversial and used Keynesianism economic to get people to stay away from them . His approach to macroeconomic management was different since the previous traditional laissez-faire economists believed that an economy would automatically correct its imbalances and move toward a state of equilibrium, They expected the dynamics of supply and demand to help the economy adjust to recession and inflation without government action. Laissez-faire economics thus regarded layoffs, bankruptcies and downturns in the economy not as something to be avoided but as elements of a natural process that would eventually improve. However that was not the case for the great depression. Keynes also believed that a given level of demand in an economy would produce employment however he insisted that low employment during the depression resulted from inadequate
Classical economics as postulated by the 19th century British economist David Ricardo states – in modern economic terms – that an economy will achieve its natural levels of employment (full employment) and reach its potential output on its own without any government intervention. While the economy may undergo periods of less than natural levels of employment or not yet reach its potential output, it will, in the long run, do so. If Mr. Ricardo was still alive, his favorite album would be The Long Run by The Eagles (1979). Using modern economic terms to further describe classical economics, an economy will tend to operate at a level given by the long-run aggregate supply curve. While many believe that the concepts of classical economics are for a by-gone era, that is not always the case.
“Microeconomics and macroeconomics can be described in terms of small-scale vs. large-scale or in terms of partial vs. general equilibrium. Perhaps the most important distinction, however, is in terms of the role of equilibrium. While issues in microeconomics seldom challenge the notion of a naturally occurring equilibrium, the existence of business cycles and, especially, unemployment suggests too many observers that macroeconomics raises issues of a different character.” (McConnell & Brue, 2004).
Paul A. Samuelson, one of the men who made Harvard’s reputation, made various contributions to modern economics. Samuelson brought numerous theories to the table, showing that math is an effective and necessary component of understanding economics. Furthermore, he discovered a new obstacle regarding inflation, known as “cost-push” inflation. But most importantly, Paul A. Samuelson has shown that economic theories can be timeless, however their implementation evolves around the current economic circumstances that are in play.
Although these recent treatments of John Maynard Keynes’ book have not been positive, can we lightly dismiss Keynes? Keynes was at the Paris meetings that led to the Treaty of Versailles. His book the Economic Consequences of the Peace dealt with the treaty using an economic critique. Keynes would be among the most influential economists for the middle part of the 20th
Classical Economics is a theory that suggests by leaving the free market alone without human intervention; equilibrium will be obtained. This theory was the first school of thought for economists and one of the major theorists and founders of Classical Economics was Adam Smith. Smith stated, “By pursuing his own interest, he (man) frequently promotes that (good) of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I (Adam Smith) have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good.”(Patil) Classical Economic theory assumes three basic ideas: Flexible Prices, Shay’s Law, and Savings-Investment equality. Flexible prices in Classical theory suggests prices will rise and fall as needed but is not always true, due to, the interference of government agencies including unions and laws. Smith stated in the Wealth of the Nation (1776), “Civil government, so far it is instituted for the security of property, is in reality instituted for the defense of the rich against the poor, or of those who have some property against those who have none at all.” (Patil) Shay’s Law implies supply creates its own demand and demand is not based on production or supply.
The theory of economics does not furnish a body of settled conclusions immediately applicable to policy. It is a method rather than a doctrine, an apparatus of the mind, a technique for thinking, which helps the possessor to draw correct conclusions. The ideas of economists and politicians, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed the world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist." (John Maynard Keynes, the General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money p 383)
Keynesian method and world-systems theory deserve special attention. It is Keynesianism that makes possible for the radical political economists to apply the bipolar model, centered on