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Disequilibrium Macroeconomics: An Episode In The Transformation Of Modern Macroeconomics

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  • Roger Backhouse
  • Mauro Boianovsky

Abstract

The paper investigates the rise and fall of the disequilibrium approach in macroeconomics between the mid 1960s and the late 1970s. During that period macroeconomists became attracted to the interpretation of unemployment phenomena based on the notion that markets are not in equilibrium. It was believed that such an approach could result in supply and demand functions distinct from those of conventional theory. However, by the late 1980s disequilibrium macroeconomics had largely disappeared from view, while approaches influenced by New Classical Macroeconomics and New Keynesian Economics became dominant. The present paper examines the contributions of the main authors - Patinkin, Clower, Leijonhufvud, Barro, Grossman, Solow, Stiglitz and Malinvaud - in order to offer a new pwerspective on the reasons for its sudden disappearance.

Suggested Citation

  • Roger Backhouse & Mauro Boianovsky, 2005. "Disequilibrium Macroeconomics: An Episode In The Transformation Of Modern Macroeconomics," Anais do XXXIII Encontro Nacional de Economia [Proceedings of the 33rd Brazilian Economics Meeting] 012, ANPEC - Associação Nacional dos Centros de Pós-Graduação em Economia [Brazilian Association of Graduate Programs in Economics].
    • Handle: RePEc:anp:en2005:012
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    File URL: http://www.anpec.org.br/encontro2005/artigos/A05A012.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Goulven Rubin, 2012. "Don Patinkin's PhD Dissertation as the Prehistory of Disequilibrium Theories," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 44(2), pages 235-276, Summer.
    2. Tianhao Zhi, 2016. "Animal Spirits and Financial Instability - A Disequilibrium Macroeconomic Perspective," PhD Thesis, Finance Discipline Group, UTS Business School, University of Technology, Sydney, number 28, July-Dece.
    3. Tianhao Zhi, 2016. "The Theory and Models of Keynesian Disequilibrium Macroeconomics," Working Paper Series 185, Finance Discipline Group, UTS Business School, University of Technology, Sydney.
    4. Alexandre Flávio Silva Andrada, 2011. "Uma Breve História Sobre A Abordagem Dedesequilíbrio Na Economia," Anais do XXXVIII Encontro Nacional de Economia [Proceedings of the 38th Brazilian Economics Meeting] 233, ANPEC - Associação Nacional dos Centros de Pós-Graduação em Economia [Brazilian Association of Graduate Programs in Economics].
    5. Mauro Boianovsky & Roger Backhouse, 2006. "Whatever Happened To Microfoundations?," Anais do XXXIV Encontro Nacional de Economia [Proceedings of the 34th Brazilian Economics Meeting] 76, ANPEC - Associação Nacional dos Centros de Pós-Graduação em Economia [Brazilian Association of Graduate Programs in Economics].
    6. Tianhao Zhi, 2016. "Animal Spirits and Financial Instability - A Disequilibrium Macroeconomic Perspective," PhD Thesis, Finance Discipline Group, UTS Business School, University of Technology, Sydney, number 1-2016.

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    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

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