The Econometric SocietyEdited by: Guido W. Imbens • Print ISSN: 0012-9682 • Online ISSN: 1468-0262
Econometrica: Jan, 1950, Volume 18, Issue 1
https://doi.org/0012-9682(195001)18:1<9:TDOAPI>2.0.CO;2-1
p. 9-20
W. Braddock Hickman
This paper takes issue with Don Patinkin, who recently argued that the simultaneous equations of classical economic theory are necessarily inconsistent, and that the classical attempt to determine real prices in the real sector of the economy and absolute prices in the monetary sector involves logical contradictions. Since a large part of his argument hinges on a misunderstanding of just what it was that the classical school assumed, the present paper restates the classical theory so as to emphasize its postulational bases. A simple example is then employed to demonstrate that it is quite possible to set up a consistent classical system in which relative prices are determined in the real sector independently of absolute prices in the monetary sector. Next the details of Patinkin's analysis are examined for the flaws that led him to believe that such a system could not be set up. The paper closes with some observations on the ways in which determinacy can be built into a system and on the generally unsatisfactory state of equilibrium theory.
March 5, 2024
The terms of the Editors of the Econometric Society's three journals end June 30, 2025. We are pleased to announce the incoming Editors and to thank the outgoing Editors for their excellent and continuing service.
Econometrica: Since 2019, Guido Imbens has served as the 14th Editor of Econometrica. On July 1, 2025, Marina Halac will become the Editor.
Quantitative Economics: Stéphane Bonhomme has been the Editor of Quantitative Economics since 2021. His successor will be Bernard Salanié.
Theoretical Economics: The Editor of Theoretical Economics since 2021 has been Simon Board. Taking over for him in July 2025 will be Federico Echenique.
Guido, Stéphane, and Simon have been outstanding Editors. We are grateful to them for the work they have done and will continue to do, and we look forward to further congratulating them next year. We believe Marina, Bernard, and Federico will be outstanding successors and we thank them in advance for their service.
Finally, we are grateful to Larry Samuelson for chairing all three search committees, and we thank the search committee members for their hard and fruitful work:
Econometrica: Christian Dustmann, Lars Hansen, Alessandro Lizzeri, George Mailath, Ariel Pakes, Helene Rey, and Elie Tamer.
QE: Kate Ho, Michael Keane, Felix Kubler, Whitney Newey, and Frank Schorfheide.
TE: Jeff Ely, Johannes Horner, Gilat Levy, Meg Meyer, and Ran Spiegler.
