In: Economics
How would the Classical/Neoclassical model suggest that we understand the phenomenon of unemployment? Explain. What does this model have to say regarding the existence of involuntary unemployment?
The fundamental characteristics of classical macro is the reliance on market and non reliance on monetary variable to solve the problem of unemployment . In this model involuntary unemployment does not exist . In this model deficit spending only increases general price level without affecting the unemployment level . Moral of the story is that laissez faire without government intervention is the best way to run an economy.
Classical macroeconomics relied on the unfettered market mechanism to resolve the problem of unemployment. Any involuntary unemployment according to the classics is a short run phenomenon in nature and any policy to correct the situation would lead to worse economic outcome .
In classical formulation, aggregate demand has no role in determining unemployment. This idea is formalized by a theorem known as `Say's Law' which states that Supply creates its own demand. This means that goods produced by an agent creates equal amount of income and aggregate demand for goods. According to this law There can be `glut' which will be disposed only in the short run. Because demand played no role in national income determination classical macro-economics, demand management policies such as fiscal and monetary policies was not part of classical prescription to cure recession.