Hayek's Monetary Theory and Policy: A Critical Reconstruction

Posted: 4 Sep 1998

See all articles by Lawrence H. White

Lawrence H. White

George Mason University - Department of Economics; George Mason University - Mercatus Center

Abstract

Hayek's critique of price level stabilization was based on the theoretical claim that only a constant money stock (M), or constant volume of nominal spending (MV), allows intertemporal price equilibrium. The claim is not generally correct. Hayek's case (in principal) for constant MV, and his critique of the automatic gold standard for not delivering it, are thus uncompelling. The injection effects of his business cycle theory provided a sounder basis for his prescription. In the 1970s Hayek switched to endorsing price-level stabilization. In doing so he was logically compelled to repudiate his business cycle theory.

JEL Classification: B22

Suggested Citation

White, Lawrence H., Hayek's Monetary Theory and Policy: A Critical Reconstruction. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=121457

Lawrence H. White (Contact Author)

George Mason University - Department of Economics ( email )

4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
United States

George Mason University - Mercatus Center ( email )

3434 Washington Blvd., 4th Floor
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

HOME PAGE: http://ppe.mercatus.org/scholars/lawrence-h-white

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