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Modern Monetary Theory: An Austrian Interpretation of Recrudescent Keynesianism

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  • Patrick Newman

    (Florida Southern College)

Abstract

Modern monetary theory (MMT) argues that governments can never go bankrupt because they have the power to print money to finance budget deficits. Consequently, debt monetization can achieve virtually any government objective desired. This paper uses Austrian economics to argue that MMT suffers from the flaws of all forms of Keynesian economics, particularly the original version of the 1930s and 1940s. MMT fails to understand capital-based macroeconomics and how government policy affects the temporal structure of production. MMT also neglects the importance of profit and loss accounting compared to government allocation of resources. The Austrian school argues that traditional New Keynesian countercyclical monetary policy results in a credit-induced boom and bust (Austrian business cycle theory) by injecting new money into private sector loans through the banking sector. However, Austrian analysis demonstrates that MMT’s monetary policy to monetize government deficits and increase the money supply through government spending will instead lead to secular economic stagnation and a stunted capital structure. Overall, the policy prescriptions of MMT are far more dangerous than traditional New Keynesian policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Newman, 2020. "Modern Monetary Theory: An Austrian Interpretation of Recrudescent Keynesianism," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 48(1), pages 23-31, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:atlecj:v:48:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s11293-020-09653-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11293-020-09653-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. L. Randall Wray, 2015. "Modern Money Theory," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, edition 2, number 978-1-137-53992-2, September.
    2. Thomas I. Palley, 2015. "Money, Fiscal Policy, and Interest Rates: A Critique of Modern Monetary Theory," Review of Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(1), pages 1-23, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aloys L. Prinz & Hanno Beck, 2021. "Modern Monetary Theory: A Solid Theoretical Foundation of Economic Policy?," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 49(2), pages 173-186, June.
    2. Jesús Huerta de Soto & Antonio Sánchez-Bayón & Philipp Bagus, 2021. "Principles of Monetary & Financial Sustainability and Wellbeing in a Post-COVID-19 World: The Crisis and Its Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-11, April.
    3. Gordon L. Brady, 2020. "Modern Monetary Theory: Some Additional Dimensions," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 48(1), pages 1-9, March.
    4. Víctor I. Espinosa & Miguel A. Alonso-Neira & Jesús Huerta de Soto, 2023. "The Ethics of Fractional-Reserve Banking System: A Private Property Rights Approach," Economies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-15, August.
    5. Jun Wen & Lingxiao Li & Xinxin Zhao & Chenyang Jiao & Wenjie Li, 2022. "How Government Size Expansion Can Affect Green Innovation—An Empirical Analysis of Data on Cross-Country Green Patent Filings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-22, June.

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