This paper discusses today's growing protectionism using a framework for economic growth, trade, and capital flows drawn from the natural sciences. In this framework economic activity is viewed as transformations of energy - both current solar energy and vintage solar energy, stored in the form...

This paper discusses methodological individualism and the perceived "need" for microfoundations in economic theory. It argues that the persistent focus on microfoundations has led a large part of the field to overlook the complexity of social interactions, the relevance of historical processes,...

Should shocks be part of our macro-modeling tool kit - for example, as a way of modeling discontinuities in fiscal policy or big moves in the financial markets? What are shocks, and how can we best put them to use? In heterodox macroeconomics, shocks tend to come in two broad types, with some...

Economic development disparities are caused mainly by unjustified biased policies and not in actual fact biased policies. Balanced policies are often recommended for balanced growth of all economic sectors. However, through sector linkages, and due to lack of funding in many developing nations,...

This paper surveys the context and contours of contemporary Post-Keynesian Institutionalism (PKI). It begins by reviewing recent criticism of conventional economics by prominent economists as well as examining, within the current context, important research that paved the way for PKI. It then...

This paper surveys the context and contours of contemporary Post-Keynesian Institutionalism (PKI). It begins by reviewing recent criticism of conventional economics by prominent economists as well as examining, within the current context, important research that paved the way for PKI. It then...

This paper looks at the relationship between government budget deficits and the growth rate of GDP. While orthodox economic theory offers several reasons to believe that growing deficits might be associated with slower growth, and would ultimately be unsustainable, Keynesians assert that...

Empirical data is presented suggesting that high private and, to a lesser extent, public debt levels place a strong drag upon economic growth. A simple, demand-based, cash flow (DBCF) model of the economy is developed, separating out flows by marginal propensity to spend. This approach is both...

Economic growth is ardently emphasized as a requisite underpinning not only for improving individual income, the standard of living, and a society's infrastructure, but also to attain equitable distribution of necessities, critical resources, and public goods such as education, healthcare, and...

Owing to its strong dependence on exports, Germany was among the economies hit hardest by the financial crisis. But unlike almost all other countries, Germany emerged from the crisis quickly and stronger than before. What lies behind this success story, if at all it is one? The commonplace -...