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Keynes’ denial of conflict: Why The General Theory is a misleading guide to capitalism and stagnation

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  • Thomas Palley

Abstract

Keynes’ General Theory was a huge step forward relative to classical economics, but it was also a step backward in its denial of the conflictual nature of capitalism. There is need to understand Keynes’ technical contributions regarding the workings of monetary economies, but also need to understand the flaws within his thinking and the consequences thereof. Keynes made a fundamental contribution elucidating the mechanism of effective demand, and he also has claim to be the preeminent monetary theorist. However, his critique of classical economics was technocratic and focused on the interest rate mechanism. Reflecting his own liberal political economic disposition, he denied the conflictual nature of capitalism. That is the “original sin” in Keynesian economics, and it has far-reaching implications. It explains why establishment Keynesian economics struggles to explain the current tendency to stagnation. Even more importantly, it has kept economics locked into a false conception of capitalism that undermines the case for Social Democracy.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Palley, 2023. "Keynes’ denial of conflict: Why The General Theory is a misleading guide to capitalism and stagnation," Japanese Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(1), pages 7-34, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:mes:jpneco:v:49:y:2023:i:1:p:7-34
    DOI: 10.1080/2329194X.2023.2212008
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    Cited by:

    1. Arne Heise, 2024. "Keynes and the drunkard under the lamp post: Making sense of Palley," Japanese Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(1), pages 47-62, January.
    2. Matías Vernengo, 2023. "Was Keynes a Liberal or a Socialist?," FMM Working Paper 94-2023, IMK at the Hans Boeckler Foundation, Macroeconomic Policy Institute.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • B2 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925
    • B22 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925 - - - Macroeconomics
    • B3 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought: Individuals
    • B31 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought: Individuals - - - Individuals
    • E00 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - General
    • P1 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies

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