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The Classical Dichotomy Essays

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The Classical Dichotomy

What is the Classical dichotomy? Under what circumstances of disequilibrium did the Classical economist accept that the dichotomy does not hold?

Selfishness is a reprehensible human characteristic; yet it is precisely the necessary behavior yielding the greatest possible economic benefit for the entire society according to Classical economics. The dominant economic theory from the 18th to 20th century was of a free market system of continuous competitive exchange equilibrium in which prices and output regulate themselves perfectly until markets achieve the market-clearing price. The Classical system takes place in a closed economy which spontaneously moves toward …show more content…

The nominal money stock has no true affect on real variables, such as output, real interest rates and unemployment, or the real health of the economy. The Classical interpretation gives little importance for the government and its ability to manage the economy. For instance, if the Central Bank prints more money thus doubling the money supply and causing inflation, the price level of outputs will double accordingly. Classical thinkers reasoned that the real value of money is essentially the quantity of real goods which it can purchase. Thus, the real wage level, the amount of output the consumer will actually be able to buy for his nominal money; will remain unchanged as increasing price levels follow the increase in money supply until equilibrium is reached once again. Or rather, expenditure on goods is increased as a result of excess capital until the balance price level is reached and excess demand is satisfied; resulting in the new equilibrium.

Although this theory of pure monetary neutrality may work in the long run, when the economy has had sufficient time to adjust labor and production to reach market-clearing equilibrium; it is bound to fail in the short run. The comparative static analysis of the Classical model contrasts between different

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