Sumner Slichter and Emil Lederer on technological unemployment

Katselidis, I; Vouldis, A; Michaelides, PG

dc.contributor.author	Katselidis, I	en
dc.contributor.author	Vouldis, A	en
dc.contributor.author	Michaelides, PG	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T02:04:11Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T02:04:11Z
dc.date.issued	2011	en
dc.identifier.issn	03068293	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/29395
dc.subject	Economic theory	en
dc.subject	Unemployment	en
dc.subject.other	economic system	en
dc.subject.other	economic theory	en
dc.subject.other	Great Depression	en
dc.subject.other	unemployment	en
dc.title	Sumner Slichter and Emil Lederer on technological unemployment	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.identifier.primary	10.1108/03068291111131391	en
heal.identifier.secondary	http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/03068291111131391	en
heal.publicationDate	2011	en
heal.abstract	Purpose: This paper aims to analyze Emil Lederer's and Sumner Slichter's theses on the concept of technological unemployment. Design/methodology/approach: Given the presence of core elements of both economists' visions in the famous Debate on Technological Unemployment (1928-1933), it is surprising that so little attention has been paid to their works. This paper makes an attempt to interpret certain parts of Emil Lederer's oeuvre in association with the writings of Sumner Slichter based on a careful examination of their writings and their theoretical investigations. Findings: The writings of both economists seem to converge to similar views. Analytically, they both attempted to explain the inability of the economic system to readjust and absorb the unemployed workers. Moreover, both economists disputed the assertion of Say's law that full equilibrium would be assured by the functioning of market forces. In contrast to other economists, they both attached increased significance to the supply side of the economy and in particular to the role of technical change. Furthermore, it seems that both authors were in favor of restrained technological change, which would be absorbed smoothly from the economic system. Another interesting aspect of both economists' investigations is their respective theoretical shift around 1930, which could be attributed to the disastrous consequences of the Great Depression. The paper concludes that, despite some differences between Lederer and Slichter, the parallels are impressive. Originality/value: Most aspects of Slichter and Lederer's works remain unexplored. Thus, the connection between them may be very useful for promoting dialogue between different schools or strands of thought. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.	en
heal.journalName	International Journal of Social Economics	en
dc.identifier.doi	10.1108/03068291111131391	en
dc.identifier.volume	38	en
dc.identifier.issue	6	en
dc.identifier.spage	537	en
dc.identifier.epage	556	en