This text provides a history of the post Keynesian approach to economics since 1936. The author locates the origins of these economics in the conflicting interpretations of Keynes' General Theory and in the complementary work of Michael Kalecki.
Arguing that post-Keynesian economics extended the discussion to questions neglected by Keynes and challenged orthodox macroeconomics, King (economics, La Trobe U., Australia) traces the development of post-Keynesianism from its origins in the 1930s to possible future developments. Along the way, he examines the challenges of the theory to the neoclassical paradigm of the 1970s, its ultimate failure to prevail, the differences between various schools of post-Keynesian theory, and relations with other economic theories. He treats the topic as solely an intellectual history, not discussing how political and social power may have affected the ability of one or the other economic theories to prevail. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
'A thorough, thoughtful, issue-related history such as this is just the thing to contribute to the growing maturity of post Keynesian economics, clarifying where we have got to now, and indicating how the approach might develop in the future. By making sense of the twists and turns of post Keynesian thought, John King provides a sense of coherence out of a complex process.' - Sheila C. Dow, University of Stirling, UK 'This book provides a thorough account of the evolution of post Keynesian economics from its origins in interpretations of the General Theory in the late 1930s through to the present day. During this period the character of post Keynesian economics has changed from denoting the ideas of a small number of interpreters of Keynes to a more organised dissenting group spread across several continents. John King's book will interest anyone who wants to understand this transition or who has an interest in the more general question of how and why heterodox traditions have been established in economics.' - Roger E. Backhouse, University of Birmingham, UK This is a unique, comprehensive and international history of the post Keynesian approach to economics since 1936. the author locates the origins of post Keynesian economics in the conflicting initial interpretations of Keynes's General Theory and in the complementary work of Michal Kalecki. the book begins by focusing on Cambridge Growth, Distribution and Capital theory and early post Keynesian thought in the US. the failure of post Keynesian theory to supplant the neo-classical paradigm in the 1970s is also discussed, along with an overview of post Keynesian thinking in other countries. the book then deals with the search for coherence between various strands of post Keynesian thought and other schools of economic thought. the author concludes by assessing the progress made by post Keynesian economics since 1936 and considers several possible alternative futures for the post Keynesians.
John Maynard Keynes is the great British economist of the twentieth century whose hugely influential work The General Theory of Employment, Interest and * is undoubtedly the century's most important book on economics--strongly influencing economic theory and practice, particularly with regard to the role of government in stimulating and regulating a nation's economic life. Keynes's work has undergone significant revaluation in recent years, and "Keynesian" views which have been widely defended for so long are now perceived as at odds with Keynes's own thinking. Recent scholarship and research has demonstrated considerable rivalry and controversy concerning the proper interpretation of Keynes's works, such that recourse to the original text is all the more important. Although considered by a few critics that the sentence structures of the book are quite incomprehensible and almost unbearable to read, the book is an essential reading for all those who desire a basic education in economics. The key to understanding Keynes is the notion that at particular times in the business cycle, an economy can become over-productive (or under-consumptive) and thus, a vicious spiral is begun that results in massive layoffs and cuts in production as businesses attempt to equilibrate aggregate supply and demand. Thus, full employment is only one of many or multiple macro equilibria. If an economy reaches an underemployment equilibrium, something is necessary to boost or stimulate demand to produce full employment. This something could be business investment but because of the logic and individualist nature of investment decisions, it is unlikely to rapidly restore full employment. Keynes logically seizes upon the public budget and government expenditures as the quickest way to restore full employment. Borrowing the * to finance the deficit from private households and businesses is a quick, direct way to restore full employment while at the same time, redirecting or siphoning
This is a major contribution to post-Keynesian thought. With studies of the key pioneers - Keynes himself, Kalecki, Kahn, Goodwin, Kaldor, Joan Robinson, Sraffa and Pasinetti - G. C. Harcourt emphasizes their positive contributions to theories of distribution, pricing, accumulation, endogenous money and growth. The propositions of earlier chapters are brought together in an integrated narrative and interpretation of the major episodes in advanced capitalist economics in the post-war period, leading to a discussion of the relevance of post-Keynesian ideas to both our understanding of economics and to policy-making. The appendices include biographical sketches of the pioneers and analysis of the conceptual core of their discontent with orthodox theories. Drawing on the author's experience of teaching and researching over fifty years, this book will appeal to undergraduate and graduate students interested in alternative approaches to theoretical, applied and policy issues in economics, as well as to teachers and researchers in economics.
This book shows how the realistic foundations and stylized facts of Post-Keynesian economics give rise to macroeconomic implications that are different from those of received wisdom with regards to employment, output growth, inflation and monetary theory, and offers an alternative to neoclassical economics and its free-market economic policies.
While the first conference (1993) focused on methodological issues, the 13 papers of the second are more concerned with developments in theory, empirical work, and policy questions as they seek to carry on the insights of economist John Maynard Keynes into and through the 1990s. Among the themes are the relationship between microeconomic and macroeconomic levels, uncertainty and its implications for individual behavior as it underpins macroeconomic behavior, and applying post- Keynesian theory to policy questions particularly in the international arena. The proceedings of the first conference were published under a separate title, and this series begins Volume One with the second conference. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
In Keynes, Knowledge and Uncertainty, the economics and philosophy of J.M. Keynes are placed in relation to contemporary ideas on economic theorizing, demonstrating the prescience of his thought while also opening up further possibilities for adapting, developing and applying his ideas. Bringing together the work of many leading figures in the fields of Keynes studies and epistemology, this volume of essays strengthens the foundations of post Keynesian economics and includes constructive developments in the theory of uncertainty and its application.
This book provides a comprehensive re-working of the basic principles of monetary macroeconomics in an alternative monetary model (AMM) of economic growth, the business cycle, inflation and income distribution. These principles differ considerably from those advanced in the standard macroeconomics literature and in textbooks. However, the latter have been demonstrably unsuccessful in the promotion of usable macroeconomic policy advice for the past several years, actually decades. A different approach is needed. In particular, the new approach takes seriously the vital role of credit creation and endogenous money in capitalism. It does not imagine that all of the difficult questions of economic policy-making may be resolved within a paradigm that conceptualizes economic activity as merely a question of barter exchange. The result is a blueprint for a set of growth-friendly macroeconomic policies which will promote full employment, financial stability and higher real wages – essentially for the benefit of the long-suffering middle and working classes rather for the chamber of commerce and financial interests.
These two volumes cover the principal areas to which Post-Keynesian economists have made distinctive contributions. The contents include the significant criticism by Post-Keynesians of mainstream economics, but the emphasis is on positive Post-Keynesian analysis of the economic problems of the modern world and of policies with which to tackle them.