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Macroeconomics and natural rates: some reflections on Pasinetti’s fair rate of interest

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  • Marc Lavoie

    (Emeritus professor, University of Ottawa (Canada) and University of Paris 13 - CEPN)

  • Mario Seccareccia

    (Emeritus professor, University of Ottawa, Canada)

Abstract

Monetary policy based on the Wicksellian natural rate of interest is progressively losing its hold on macroeconomic theory and policy. We advocate a ‘park it’ approach to monetary policy, where the interest rate is not set as a counter-cyclical tool based on this natural rate. The paper presents what has been called the Pasinetti rule, based on his concept of the fair or just rate of interest – a distribution-neutral rate. Central banks should insure that the nominal rate of interest – the long-term government bond rate – is equal to the growth rate of labour compensation.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc Lavoie & Mario Seccareccia, 2019. "Macroeconomics and natural rates: some reflections on Pasinetti’s fair rate of interest," Bulletin of Political Economy, Bulletin of Political Economy, vol. 13(2), pages 139-165, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:awu:journl:v:13:y:2019:i:2:p:139-165
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Monetary policy; Income distribution; Pasinetti rule; Fair interest rate;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E11 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models - - - Marxian; Sraffian; Kaleckian
    • E12 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models - - - Keynes; Keynesian; Post-Keynesian; Modern Monetary Theory
    • E25 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Aggregate Factor Income Distribution
    • E43 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Interest Rates: Determination, Term Structure, and Effects
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies

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