Preview

The Difference Between Classical And Keynesian Economics

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
539 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Difference Between Classical And Keynesian Economics
The Difference between Classical and Keynesian Economics
The differences between classical and Keynesian economics are many, but they can be categorized into a few key areas. In general, classical economists would like to see the government stay out of the economy, and try to influence it as little as possible. Keynesian economists, who follow the philosophy of famous economist John Maynard Keynes, by contrast, do not strongly advocate for a position. Those that follow this policy generally believe in strong fiscal policy, and a central banking system that can help to improve national economies.
i. One of the areas of difference deals with monetary policy.
The classical economists hold to a belief that governments should not influence economies, or pursue a "hands-off" policy, often referred to by the French term, laissez-faire. The Keynesian economists believe that demand is very much influenced by government decisions, both at the federal level and lower levels. In other words, Keynesians believe governments do and should influence the business cycle. ii. Another big difference between classical and Keynesian economics deals with the outlook each one has concerning the future.
Classical economists tend to be more focused on long-term results. Keynesians, on the other hand, tend to be focused on shorter-term problems that they believe may need immediate attention. Those subscribing to the Keynesian philosophy tend to believe that short-term problems are not easily correctable, and will therefore influence the long-term outlook. iii. Inflation and unemployment are also big differences between the two.
Keynesians tend to be more concerned with unemployment than inflation. Classical economists, while concerned about unemployment to a certain extent, tend to be more concerned with inflationary pressures, believing inflation can be a bigger danger to the economy over the long term. iv. Pricing is

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Most economists believe that classical economic theory is a good description of the world over which of the following time periods?…

    • 982 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    When viewed through the perspective of the Keynesian model (which focuses entirely on the short-run) these policies currently in use are having the desired effect on the economy. Lower interest rates and creating more money are encouraging spending which, in turn, are holding prices and employment within manageable levels. On the other hand, when viewed through the perspective of the Classical model there is a problem with this policy, interest rates cannot be lowered…

    • 1227 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Economics Outline Ch 17

    • 474 Words
    • 2 Pages

    * The term fiscal policy refers to the federal government’s deliberate use of its taxation rates and expenditures to affect overall business activity. The Keynesian economists and the supply-side economists have two theories about how to obtain stabilization. Keynesian economists advocate the use of government spending to stimulate economic activity and reduce unemployment during recessions. A simple circular flow of income and output model is given. Supply-side economists advocate reductions in tax rates to stimulate private investment and employment.…

    • 474 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macro Assignment 2

    • 994 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Keynesian economist believe that long periods of high unemployment are a result of inadequate overall demand and feel government intervention is a key component of a prosperous economy. The school of thought sees unemployment as an aggregated demand and company profitability. One factor affects another in a sense. If wages are low then consumers have less money to spend which then turns to less of demand for products to be created which then leads to a decrease in investments and staff by employers, ultimately resulting in high unemployment. This supports the idea of cyclical unemployment. Unlike the classical economy, Keynesian focuses on the short run instead of the long run. Therefore to avoid this Keynesian economists support monetary and fiscal policy to stabilize the business cycle.…

    • 994 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Steer Market Vs Hayek

    • 616 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Hayek and Keynesian economic differences can be summed up as free market versus a steer market. “Hayek viewed the market as capable to correct itself, when facing shocks, by taking advantage of competitive forces, and regarded government and central bankers' policy efforts to restore growth as causes of more instability.” (Terzi) In a free market, savings are encouraged along with market investment. “Keynes viewed the economic (macro) system as vulnerable to periodic declines in demand, and regarded traditional (micro) adjustment mechanisms (such as wage and price declines) as ineffective to restore growth and prosperity.” (Terzi) Whereas the steer market relies on the “boom and bust” cycle. This includes: boost aggregate, stimulus packages, and bail outs to corporations and businesses. The United States has been favoring the Keynesian system in the most recent decades; however, it was founded on capitalism and Hayek's model of investing and production. In the most recent decade, we experienced the housing bubble of 2008. Interest rates rose after the boom and loans were being given out loosely causing inflation. This is typical of the “boom and bust” cycle. Where spending is encouraged, inflation then…

    • 616 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Fear of the Boom and Bust

    • 389 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The You tube video Fear the Boom and Bust is a very entertaining and interesting rap debate between the two economists, John Maynard Keynes and Freidrich Hayek, concerning the boom and bust cycle. In the video the economists come back to life and rap about their conflicting theories as they go out for a night on the town. This video is a fun and educational way to learn and discuss the two competing economic philosophies and how they relate to our current economic situation. The two economists go back and forth advancing their economic perspectives on economic issues as their approach to the market, government and consumer spending, the role of savings, human action and motivation and the power of investments. It is pretty amazing how the creators of this rap were able to take economic theories and turn them into catchy lyrics. The chorus of this rap sums up the basic conflict between the economists. Keynes and Hayek both rap that “We've been going back and forth for a century” and Keynes says he wants to “steer markets” and Hayek says he wants them “set free”. They both rap together “There's a boom and bust cycle and good reason to fear it” as Hayek blames “low interest rates” and Keynes disagrees and says “it's the animal spirits” implying the bulls and bears. Then each economists views are summarized in two verses. Keynes stresses that in order to get the economy out of the bust they need to utilize the stimulus of government spending so that if consumers have money and spend it then businesses will thrive and create jobs. However, Hayek says it is not the bust that is the main problem but the boom. He says that allowing low interest rates and extending credit encourage investments that cannot be maintained over time and raps that “The boom plants the seeds for its future destruction”. As we see from our current economic problems that the government turned more to Keynes approach to deal with the financial crisis by stimulating markets with…

    • 389 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Hayek found a few faults with Keynesian Economics. First off he pointed out that Keynes’s argument about savings is actually an argument about the dangers of hoarding. “It’s agreed that hoarding money is deflationary in its effects. No one thinks that deflation is in itself desirable.” So…

    • 617 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Which of the two graphs best illustrates the Keynesian view of the macroeconomy, and which best illustrates the classical view? Explain.…

    • 557 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Keynesian Theory

    • 393 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Why do Keynesian economists believe market forces do not automatically adjust for unemployment and inflation?…

    • 393 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    9th Amendment

    • 443 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The 9th Amendment reads "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." In other words, people retain more rights than the ones listed in the Constitution. The 9th amendment is one the least referred to Amendments in decisions of the Supreme Court.…

    • 443 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Macro Economics

    • 3337 Words
    • 14 Pages

    If I were having a conversation about why the economy is experiencing high unemployment and what the government should do about it, with a Keynesian and a Classical economist I think that the economists would explain the situations in the following way and would support the following policies.…

    • 3337 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The American government manages the overall pace of economic activity and looks to sustain high employment levels and stability in prices. In order to achieve these goals the government uses Fiscal and Monetary policy. Fiscal policy is used to determine the appropriate level of spending and taxes, whereas monetary policy manages the supply of money in the economy. When the economy enters a recession, governments stimulate it with deficit spending, whereas during an economic growth governments control it with higher taxes to achieve a surplus. These policies are based on the concepts of British economist John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946). Consumers mainly influence fiscal policy by their spending habits. For instance, if they become concerned about the economy they will save more and spend less, which will result in less production, increase in unemployment level and an overall lower spending rate. In general, the power is held by the consumer. If we become more reasonable with our spending, saving and investing for the better, this would positively impact our economy. (Brooks)…

    • 462 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Keynes and Hayek

    • 332 Words
    • 2 Pages

    John Maynard Keynes was an economist whose ideas have greatly affected the theory and practice of modern macroeconomics, and informed the economic policies of governments. He built on and greatly advanced earlier work on the causes of business cycles, and is widely considered to be one of the founders of modern macroeconomics and the most influential economist of the 20th century. His ideas are the basis for the school of thought known as Keynesian economics, as well as its various offshoots.…

    • 332 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Describe what a classical macroeconomist, a Keynesian, and a monetarist would want to do in response to each of the above events.…

    • 1953 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    interfere in the economy to balance it out when needed. For example, a public entity…

    • 584 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays