Endogenous Money and David Hume

Abstract:     
David Hume's monetary theory has two standard yet inconsistent readings. As a forefather of the quantity theory of money, Hume sees money as neutral. As an inflationist, Hume sees an active positive role for monetary policy. This paper reads Hume consistently instead, by showing that for Hume money is endogenous and demand driven. Hume would read the money equation as reverse causation and the co-presence of inflation and output growth as driven by demand. The 18th century knowledge of monetary theory corroborates this reading.

Keywords: David Hume, Money, Endogenous Money

JEL Classification: B12, E4

Accepted Paper Series