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Irving Fisher, Debt Deflation, And Crises

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  • SHILLER, ROBERT J.

Abstract

This article reconsiders, in the light of the current financial turmoil, Irving Fisher’s 1911 theory of financial crises and his 1933 debt-deflation theory of Great Depressions. Particular attention is given to the role of high debt ratios, high leverage ratios, and changes in the purchasing power of money in Fisher’s analysis, and to Fisher’s compensated dollar plan to stabilize the purchasing power of money. It is argued that indexing the unit of account would accomplish Fisher’s goal of stabilization without the practical difficulties of Fisher’s compensated dollar plan.

Suggested Citation

  • Shiller, Robert J., 2013. "Irving Fisher, Debt Deflation, And Crises," Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Cambridge University Press, vol. 35(2), pages 179-183, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jhisec:v:35:y:2013:i:02:p:179-183_00
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carmen M. Reinhart & Kenneth S. Rogoff, 2009. "Varieties of Crises and Their Dates," Introductory Chapters, in: This Time Is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly, Princeton University Press.
    2. Irving Fisher, 1913. "A Compensated Dollar," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 27(2), pages 213-235.
    3. Reinhart, Karmen & Rogoff, Kenneth, 2009. ""This time is different": panorama of eight centuries of financial crises," Ekonomicheskaya Politika / Economic Policy, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, vol. 1, pages 77-114, March.
    4. Carmen M. Reinhart & Kenneth S. Rogoff, 2014. "This Time is Different: A Panoramic View of Eight Centuries of Financial Crises," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 15(2), pages 215-268, November.
    5. Reinhart, Carmen & Rogoff, Kenneth, 2009. "This Time It’s Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly-Preface," MPRA Paper 17451, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Robert W. Dimand & John Geanakoplos, 2005. "Celebrating Irving Fisher: The Legacy of a Great Economist," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 64(1), pages 3-18, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Argandoña, Antonio, 2013. "Irving Fisher: un gran economista," IESE Research Papers D/1082, IESE Business School.
    2. Sigga Benediktsdottir & Soha Ahmed, 2023. "Interest Rate Normalization in a World with High Indebtedness," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 51(1), pages 39-63, March.
    3. Katalin Botos, 2022. "What Can Posterity Learn from Irving Fisher?," Financial and Economic Review, Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Central Bank of Hungary), vol. 21(2), pages 175-187.

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    JEL classification:

    • B22 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925 - - - Macroeconomics

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