The Optimal Austrian Business Cycle Theory

Advances in Austrian Economics 20 2016: 45-60

21 Pages Posted: 11 Nov 2014 Last revised: 7 Aug 2016

See all articles by Alexander William Salter

Alexander William Salter

Texas Tech University - Rawls College of Business; American Institute for Economic Research

William J. Luther

Florida Atlantic University; American Institute for Economic Research

Date Written: November 10, 2014

Abstract

Since Hayek’s pioneering work in the 1930’s, the Austrian business cycle theory has been presented as a disequilibrium theory populated by less-than-perfectly rational agents. In contrast, we maintain that (1) the Austrian business cycle theory is consistent with rational expectations and (2) the post-boom adjustment process can be understood in an equilibrium framework. Hence, we offer a new interpretation of the existing theory. In doing so, we also address concerns raised with Garrison’s (2001) diagrammatic approach, wherein the economy moves beyond the production possibilities frontier. Our interpretation might accurately be described as a monetary disequilibrium approach grounded in an implicit general equilibrium framework with positive costs of reallocation.

Keywords: Austrian, boom, business cycle, bust, Friedrich A. Hayek, Ludwig von Mises, macroeconomic fluctuation, structure of production, rational expectations

JEL Classification: B53, E20, E22, E23, E32, E40

Suggested Citation

Salter, Alexander William and Luther, William J., The Optimal Austrian Business Cycle Theory (November 10, 2014). Advances in Austrian Economics 20 2016: 45-60, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2521947 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2521947

Alexander William Salter (Contact Author)

Texas Tech University - Rawls College of Business ( email )

Lubbock, TX 79409
United States

HOME PAGE: http://awsalter.com

American Institute for Economic Research

PO Box 1000
Great Barrington, MA 01230
United States

William J. Luther

Florida Atlantic University ( email )

777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.wluther.com

American Institute for Economic Research ( email )

PO Box 1000
Great Barrington, MA 01230
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.aier.org/staff/william-j-luther

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