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Revisiting the unemployment controversy: Pigou's viewpoint

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  • Norikazu Takami

    (the Graduate School of Economics, Osaka University and Suntory Foundation Torii Fellow)

Abstract

This paper examines the unemployment controversy between J. M. Keynes and A. C. Pigou, mainly from the latter's viewpoint. In this controversy, although he eventually conceded de- feat, Pigou attempted to prove that money wage cuts were effective on employment regardless of the level of interest rate. His defeat in the controversy was not due to the inconsistency in his perspective, but rather due to his inability to theorize a relevant notion, \forced anti- levies" as expounded in Industrial Fluctuations (1927). The \Pigou effect" devised later in 1943 could be considered as theorization of forced anti-levies. This allowed Pigou to formally demonstrate that money wage cuts were effective in increasing employment regardless of the level of interest rate. Thus, we conclude that the unemployment controversy was gainful at least to Pigou, resulting in the formulation of the notion originated in Industrial Fluctuations.

Suggested Citation

  • Norikazu Takami, 2009. "Revisiting the unemployment controversy: Pigou's viewpoint," Discussion Papers in Economics and Business 09-27, Osaka University, Graduate School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:osk:wpaper:0927
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Pigou; unemployment; macroeconomics; Pigou effect; Keynes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B22 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925 - - - Macroeconomics
    • B31 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought: Individuals - - - Individuals
    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity

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