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The Kaldor/Knight controversy: Is capital a distinct and quantifiable factor of production?

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  • Avi Cohen

Abstract

Controversy focuses on three questions: Is capital a distinct factor of production? Is capital quantifiable in a theoretically consistent manner? Are process stories necessary around convergence to, or changes in, equilibrium interest rates? To all, Kaldor answers 'yes' to Knight's 'no'. The controversy is historically important in: 1) shifting issues in recurring twentieth century capital theory controversies from periods of production to production functions, from roundaboutness to diminishing returns; 2) revealing Knight's position on increasing knowledge offsetting diminishing returns over time as an unacknowledged 'precursor' of new growth theory; 3) marking the turning point for Kaldor's attachment to Austrian theory.

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  • Avi Cohen, 2006. "The Kaldor/Knight controversy: Is capital a distinct and quantifiable factor of production?," The European Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(1), pages 141-161.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:eujhet:v:13:y:2006:i:1:p:141-161
    DOI: 10.1080/09672560500522801
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