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Emulation, indebtedness and income distribution: A monetary theory of production approach

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  • Guglielmo Forges Davanzati

    (University of Salento)

  • Andrea Pacella

    (University of Salento)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the effect of emulation within a basic schema of the monetary theory of production (MTP). A theoretical model is presented, where workers set their target level of consumption based on the comparison with other workers taken as reference. It is shown that emulation can play a crucial role in increasing workers’ propensity to indebtedness. As a result, profits increase and so does the price level, thus generating a decline of the real wage. Moreover, the existence of indebtedness can provide a further solution to the socalled »paradox of profits« within the MTP.

Suggested Citation

  • Guglielmo Forges Davanzati & Andrea Pacella, 2010. "Emulation, indebtedness and income distribution: A monetary theory of production approach," European Journal of Economics and Economic Policies: Intervention, Edward Elgar Publishing, vol. 7(1), pages 147-165.
    • Handle: RePEc:elg:ejeepi:v:7:y:2010:i:1:p:147-165
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    Cited by:

    1. Guglielmo Forges Davanzati, 2014. "Unemployment benefits, the 'added worker effect' and income distribution in a monetary economy," Working Papers PKWP1402, Post Keynesian Economics Society (PKES).
    2. Nadia Oliva & Andrea Pacella, 2016. "The Ethics Inside the Monetary Circuit: How Bank’s Social Responsibility Affects Money Creation," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(7), pages 1-1, June.
    3. Ruth Badru, 2020. "Distribution and Gender Effects on the Path of Economic Growth: Comparative Evidence for Developed, Semi-Industrialized, and Low-Income Agricultural Economies," Economics Working Paper Archive wp_959, Levy Economics Institute.
    4. Forges Davanzati, Guglielmo & Pacella, Andrea, 2013. "The profits-investments puzzle: A Post Keynesian-Institutional interpretation," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 1-13.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    monetary circuit; emulation; indebtedness; profits; wages;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations
    • E12 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models - - - Keynes; Keynesian; Post-Keynesian; Modern Monetary Theory
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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