Did Hayek and Robbins Deepen the Great Depression?

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking
Year: 2008
Volume: 40
Issue: 4
Pages: 751-768

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Contrary to some accounts, the Hayek–Robbins (“Austrian”) theory of the business cycle did not prescribe a monetary policy of “liquidationism” in the sense of passive indifference to sharp deflation during the early years of the Great Depression. There is no evidence that Hayek or Robbins influenced any “liquidationist” in the Hoover administration or the Federal Reserve System. Federal Reserve policy during the Great Depression was instead influenced by the real bills doctrine, which (despite some apparent similarities) was diametrically opposed in key respects to Hayek's norms for central bank policy.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:wly:jmoncb:v:40:y:2008:i:4:p:751-768
Journal Field
Macro
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29