Newtonian Microeconomics

A Dynamic Extension to Neoclassical Micro Theory

Matti Estola

• Editore: Palgrave Macmillan
• Anno: 2017
• ISBN:
  9783319468792
• Argomento: Économie
• Categoria: Économétrie

Presenting the dynamic laws of economic quantities, this book tackles one of the core difficulties of current economic theory: that of transforming abstract equations of equilibrium into precise dynamic rules. The theoretical framework of neoclassical micro theory has historically prohibited its development into a quantitative science. Estola identifies the main weaknesses of this framework as follows: 1) Static optimization does not allow for the modelling of time-dependent production and consumption flows; 2) The assumption of optimal behaviours forecloses any understanding of changes in economic quantities, as none will change its optimal behaviour. The author of this title assumes that economic units tend to better their situation where possible. The book demonstrates how this approach leads to an analogous framework in economics to the Newtonian framework in physics. The 'forces' acting upon economic quantities, which either cause adjustment toward an equilibrium state or keep the system in motion with time, are defined such that the neoclassical framework corresponds to a 'zero-force' situation. Introducing a system of measurement units for economic phenomena, Estola applies this throughout, and thereby illuminates a way for microeconomics to meet the minimum requirements of quantitative analysis.

Indice dei contenuti

• Preface
• Contents
• 1 Economics as a Science
• 2 Measuring in Economics
• 3 Consumer Behavior
• 4 The Behavior of Firms
• 5 Goods Markets
• 6 Labor as a Production Factor
• 7 Capital Goods as Firms' Inputs
• 8 Money and Financial Markets
• 9 Saving, Borrowing, and Interest Rates
• 10 Mathematical Appendix
• Author Index
• Subject Index