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Notes on the Accumulation and Utilization of Capital: Some Theoretical Issues

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  • Michalis Nikiforos

Abstract

This paper discusses some issues related to the triangle between capital accumulation, distribution, and capacity utilization. First, it explains why utilization is a crucial variable for the various theories of growth and distribution--more precisely, with regards to their ability to combine an autonomous role for demand (along Keynesian lines) and an institutionally determined distribution (along classical lines). Second, it responds to some recent criticism by Girardi and Pariboni (2019). I explain that their interpretation of the model in Nikiforos (2013) is misguided, and that the results of the model can be extended to the case of a monopolist. Third, it provides some concrete examples of why demand is a determinant for the long-run rate of utilization of capital. Finally, it argues that when it comes to the normal rate of utilization, it is the expected growth rate of demand that matters, not the level of demand.

Suggested Citation

  • Michalis Nikiforos, 2020. "Notes on the Accumulation and Utilization of Capital: Some Theoretical Issues," Economics Working Paper Archive wp_952, Levy Economics Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:lev:wrkpap:wp_952
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniele Girardi & Riccardo Pariboni, 2019. "Normal utilization as the adjusting variable in Neo‐Kaleckian growth models: A critique," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 70(2), pages 341-358, May.
    2. Olivier Allain, 2015. "Tackling the instability of growth: a Kaleckian-Harrodian model with an autonomous expenditure component," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 39(5), pages 1351-1371.
    3. Lavoie, Marc, 1995. "The Kaleckian Model of Growth and Distribution and Its Neo-Ricardian and Neo-Marxian Critiques," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 19(6), pages 789-818, December.
    4. Edwards, Brian K & Starr, Ross M, 1987. "A Note on Indivisibilities, Specialization, and Economies of Scale," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 77(1), pages 192-194, March.
    5. Joan Robinson, 1962. "Essays in the Theory of Economic Growth," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-1-349-00626-7.
    6. Reiner Franke, 2020. "An attempt at a reconciliation of the Sraffian and Kaleckian views on desired utilization," European Journal of Economics and Economic Policies: Intervention, Edward Elgar Publishing, vol. 17(1), pages 61-77, April.
    7. Petach, Luke & Tavani, Daniele, 2019. "No one is alone: Strategic complementarities, capacity utilization, growth, and distribution," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 203-215.
    8. Eichner, Alfred S & Kregel, J A, 1975. "An Essay on Post-Keynesian Theory: A New Paradigm in Economics," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 13(4), pages 1293-1314, December.
    9. Peter Skott & Ben Zipperer, 2012. "An empirical evaluation of three post-Keynesian models," European Journal of Economics and Economic Policies: Intervention, Edward Elgar Publishing, vol. 9(2), pages 277-307.
    10. Fabio Freitas & Franklin Serrano, 2015. "Growth Rate and Level Effects, the Stability of the Adjustment of Capacity to Demand and the Sraffian Supermultiplier," Review of Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(3), pages 258-281, July.
    11. Eckhard Hein & Marc Lavoie & Till van Treeck, 2012. "Harrodian Instability And The ‘Normal Rate’ Of Capacity Utilization In Kaleckian Models Of Distribution And Growth—A Survey," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(1), pages 139-169, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jose Barrales‐Ruiz & Ivan Mendieta‐Muñoz & Codrina Rada & Daniele Tavani & Rudiger von Arnim, 2022. "The distributive cycle: Evidence and current debates," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(2), pages 468-503, April.
    2. Codrina Rada, Ansel Schiavone, Rudiger von Arnim, 2021. "Goodwin, Baumol & Lewis: How structural change can lead to inequality and stagnation," Working Paper Series, Department of Economics, University of Utah 2021_04, University of Utah, Department of Economics.
    3. Codrina Rada, Marcio Santetti, Ansel Schiavone, Rudiger von Arnim, 2021. "Post-Keynesian vignettes on secular stagnation:From labor suppression to natural growth," Working Paper Series, Department of Economics, University of Utah 2021_05, University of Utah, Department of Economics.
    4. N. V. Suvorov & S. I. Maksimtsova & E. E. Balashova & E. A. Rutkovskaya & S. V. Treshchina & Yu. V. Beletsky, 2022. "Methodological Issues and Quantitative Results of Estimating the Retrospective Dynamics of Production Capacities in Relationship with the Dynamics of Fixed Assets," Studies on Russian Economic Development, Springer, vol. 33(6), pages 605-617, December.
    5. Brian Hartley, 2022. "Episodic incidence of Harrodian instability and the Kaleckian growth model: A Markov‐switching approach," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(1), pages 268-290, February.
    6. Codrina Rada & Ansel Schiavone & Rudiger von Arnim, 2022. "Goodwin, Baumol & Lewis: How structural change can lead to inequality and stagnation," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(4), pages 1070-1093, November.
    7. Michalis Nikiforos, 2021. "Notes on the accumulation and utilization of capital: Some empirical issues," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 72(4), pages 679-695, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Accumulation; Growth; Distribution; Utilization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B22 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925 - - - Macroeconomics
    • O4 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity
    • D3 - Microeconomics - - Distribution
    • D2 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations

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