Understanding macroeconomic theory

✍ Scribed by Bradley T. Ewing, John M. Barron, Gerald J. Lynch

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2006
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 241
• Series: Routledge Advanced Texts in Economics and Finance
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

At each point in time, individuals make choices with respect to the acquisition, sale, and/or use of a variety of different goods. Such activity can be summarized by aggregate variables such as an economy’s total production of various goods and services, the aggregate level of unemployment, the general level of interest rates, and the overall level of prices.

The focus of this book is on developing simple theoretical models that provide insight into the reasons for fluctuations in such aggregate variables. The models included explore how shocks or ‘impulses’ to the economy (e.g. changes to technology, the money supply, or government policy) impact individuals’ behaviour in specific markets, and the resulting implications in terms of changes in aggregate variables.

This book provides the reader with an in-depth understanding of standard theoretical models: Walrasian, Keynesian and Neoclassical. Pedagogically sophisticated, it is theoretically based, rigorous and includes a host of real world case studies and exercises. Underpinned by solid microfoundations, it is written in a concise, accessible style and is an indispensable tool for all students who wish to a gain a firm grounding in the complexities of macroeconomic theories as well as government and private sector researchers of macroeconomics.

✦ Table of Contents

Book Cover......Page 1
Half-Title......Page 2
Series-Title......Page 3
Title......Page 4
Copyright......Page 5
Contents......Page 6
1. Introduction......Page 8
2. Walrasian economy......Page 14
3. Firms as market participants......Page 25
4. Households as market participants......Page 46
5. Summarizing the behavior and constraints of firms and households......Page 71
6. The simple neoclassical macroeconomic model (without government or depository institutions)......Page 85
7. Empirical macroeconomics: Traditional approaches and time series models......Page 103
8. The neoclassical model......Page 123
9. The "Keynesian model" with fixed money wage: Modifying the neoclassical model......Page 137
10. The Lucas model......Page 153
11. Policy......Page 174
12. Open economy......Page 193
Notes......Page 209
References......Page 230
Index......Page 235