The multiplier-accelerator
structures reviewed above have linear dynamic structures. As a result, cycles
are generated and maintained only by structurally unstable parameter values (Samuelson)
or dampened dynamics with continuous exogenous shocks (Frisch-Slutsky) or
exogenously-constrained explosive dynamics (Hicks). As a result, early
Keynesian linear multiplier-accelerator fall dangerously close to an "untheoretical"
explanation of the cycle - precisely what the original Oxbridge research
programme was designed to avoid.
However, linear
structures are often adopted because they are simple and the results they yield
are simple. But simplicity is sometimes more a vice than a virtue - particularly
in the case of macrodynamics and economic fluctuations. It is not only unrealistic
to assume linearity, but the very phenomena that we are out to uncover, the
formation of cycles and fluctuations, becomes relegated to the "untheory"
of exogenous shocks, ceilings, floors, etc. The contention of Lowe (1926) and
many Keynesian writers is that theories of fluctuations ought really to explain
how fluctuations arise endogenously from a working system otherwise (paraphrasing
Lowe's title), how is business cycle theory possible at all?
As a result,
many economists have insisted that non-linear structures should be employed
instead. Why interest ourselves with non-linear dynamics? As one famous
scientist answered, for the same reason we are interested in "non-elephant
animals". In short, non-linear dynamical structures are clearly the more
general and common case and restricting attention to linear structures not only
unrealistically limits the scope of analysis, it also limits the type of
dynamics that are possible.
One of the most
interesting theories of business cycles in the Keynesian vein is that expounded
in a pioneering article by Nicholas Kaldor (1940). It is distinguishable from
most other contemporary treatments since it utilizes non-linear functions,
which produce endogenous cycles, rather than the linear multiplier-accelerator
kind which rely largely on exogenous factors to maintain regular cycles. We
shall follow Kaldor's simple argument and then proceed to analyze Kaldor in the
light of the rigorous treatment given to it by Chang and Smyth (1971) and
Varian (1979).
What prompted Kaldor's
innovation? Besides the influence of Keynes (1936) and Kalecki (1937), in his
extremely readable article, Kaldor proposed that the treatment of savings and
investment as linear curves simply does not correspond to empirical reality. In
(Harrodian version of) Keynesian theory, investment and savings are both
positive functions of output (income). The savings relationship is cemented by
the income-expenditure theory of Keynes:
S = (1-c) Y
whereas
investment is positively related to income via an accelerator-like
relationship, (which, in Kaldor, is related to the level rather than the
change in income):
I = vY
where v, the Harrod-Kaldor
accelerator coefficient, is merely the capital-output ratio. Over these two
relationships, Kaldor superimposed Keynes's multiplier theory: namely, that
output changes to clear the goods market. Thus, if there is excess goods demand
(which translates to saying that investment exceeds savings, I > S), then
output rises (dY/dt > 0), whereas if there is excess goods supply (which
translates to savings exceeding investment, I < S), then output falls.
The
implications of linearity can be visualized in Figure 1, where we draw two
positively-sloped linear I and S curves. To economize on space, we place
two separate sets of curves in the same diagram. In the left part of Figure 1,
the slope of the savings function is larger than that of the investment
function. Where they intersect (I = S) is the equilibrium Y*. As we can note,
left of Y*, investment is greater than savings (I > S), hence output will
increase by the multiplier dynamic. Right of point Y*, savings is greater than
investment (I < S), hence output will fall. Thus, the equilibrium point Y*
is stable.
In the right
side of Figure 1, we see linear S and I functions again, but this time, the
slope of the investment curve is greater than that of the savings curve. Where
they intersect, Y*, investment equals savings (I = S) and we have equilibrium. However,
note that left of the equilibrium Y*, savings are greater than investment (I
< S), thus output will contract and we will move away from Y*. In contrast,
right of Y*, investment is greater than savings (I > S), so output will
increase and move further to the right of Y*. Thus, equilibrium Y* is unstable.
Fig.1 - Savings,
Investment and Output Adjustment
Both exclusive
cases, complete stability and complete instability, are implied by linear I and
S curves in figure 1, are incompatible with the empirical reality of cycles and
fluctuations. Hence, Kaldor concluded, it might be sensible to assume that the
S and I curves are non-linear. In general, he assumed I = I (Y, K) and S = S (Y,
K), where investment and savings are non-linear functions of income and capital
as in the Figure 2 below.
We shall focus
the relationship with income first. The logic Kaldor (1940) gave for this is
quite simple.
The non-linear
investment curve, shown in Figure 2 can be explained by simply recognizing that
the rate of investment will be quite low at extreme output levels. Why? Well,
at low output levels (e. g. at YA), there is so much excess capacity
that any increase in aggregate demand will induce very little extra investment.
The extra
demand can be accomodated by existing capacity, so the rate of investment is
low. In contrast, at high rates of output, such as YC, Wicksellian
problems set in. In other words, with such high levels of output and demand,
the cost of expanding capacity is also increasing, capital goods industries are
supply-constrained and thus demand a higher price from entrepreneurs for
producing an extra unit of capital. In addition, the best investment projects
have probably all already been undertaken at this point, so that the only
projects left are low-yielding and simply might not be worth the effort for the
entrepreneur.
Thus, the rate
of investment will also be relatively low. At output levels between YA
and YC (e. g. at YB), the rate of investment is higher. Thus,
the non-linearity of the I curve is reasonably justified.
What about the
non-linear savings curve, S? As shown in Figure 2, it is assumed by Kaldor that
savings rates are high at extreme levels of output. At low levels of output (YA),
income is so low that savings are the first to be cut by individuals in their
household decisions.
Therefore, at
this point, the rate of saving (or rather, in this context, the rate of
dissaving) is extremely high. Slight improvements in income, however, are not
all consumed (perhaps by custom or precaution), but rather much of it is saved.
In contrast, at
high levels of output, YC, income is so high that the consumer is
effectively saturated. Consequently, he will save a far greater portion of his
income - thus, at points like YC, the savings rate is quite high.
Fig.2 - Non-Linear
Investment and Savings
With the
non-linearity of I and S justified, Kaldor (1940) proceeded to analyze cyclical
behavior by superimposing the I and S curves (as in Figure 2). As we can see,
there are three points of intersection (A, B and C) where savings equals
investment (I = S). Let us consider each individually. Left of point A, investment
is greater than savings hence, by the multiplier, Y increases to YA;
to the right of point A, savings is greater than investment (hence Y decreases
to YA). Consequently, it is easy to note that A (and YA) is
a stable point. The same analysis applies to the points to the right and left
of YC, hence C (and YC) is also a stable point.
Intersection
point B (at YB) in Figure 2 is the odd one. Left of B, savings
exceeds investment (so Y falls left of YB) and right of B,
investment exceeds savings (so Y increases right of YB). Thus, B is
an unstable point. Consequently, then, we are faced with two stable equilibria
(A and C) and an unstable equilibrium (B). How can this explain cyclical
phenomenon? If we are at A, we stay at A. If we are at C, we stay at C. If we
are at B, we will move either to A or C with a slight displacement. However, no
cycles are apparent.
The clincher in
Kaldor's system is the phenomenon of capital
accumulation at a given point in time. After all, as Kaldor reminds
us, investment and savings functions are short term. At a high stable level of
output, such as that at point YC in the figure above, if investment
is happening, the stock of capital is increasing. As capital stock increases,
there are some substantial changes in the I and S curves. In the first
instance, as capital stock increases, the return or marginal productivity of
capital declines. Thus, it is not unreasonable to assume that investment will
fall over time. Thus, it is acceptable that dI/dK < 0, i. e. the I curve falls.
However, as
capital goods become more available, a greater proportion of production can be
dedicated to the production of consumer goods. As consumer goods themselves
increase in number, the prices of consumer goods decline. For the individual
consumer, this phenomenon is significant since it implies that less income is
required to purchase the same amount of goods as before. Consequently, there
will be more income left over to be saved. Thus, it is also not unreasonable to
suspect that the savings curve, S, will gradually move upwards, i. e. dS/dK
> 0. This is illustrated in Figure 3.
Fig.3 - Capital
Accumulation and Gravitation of Investment and Savings Curves
So, we can see
the story by visualizing the move from Figure 2 to Figure 3. Starting from our
(old) YC, as I (Y, K) moves down and S (Y, K) moves down, point B
will gradually move from its original position in the middle towards C (i. e. YB
will move right) while point C moves towards B (YC moves left). As
shown in Figure 3, as time progresses, and the investment and savings curves
continue on their migration induced by capital accumulation, and B and C
approximate each other, we will reach a situation where B and C meet at YB
= YB and the S and I curves are tangential to each other. Notice
that at this point in time, C is no longer stable - left and right of point C,
savings exceeds investment, thus output must fall - and indeed will fall
catastrophically from YB = YC to the only stable point in
the system: namely, point A at YA.
At YA,
we are again at a stable, short-run equilibrium. However, as in the earlier
case, the S and I curves are not going to remain unchanged. In fact, they will
move in the opposite direction. As investment is reigned back, there might not
even be enough to cover replacement.
Thus, previous
investment projects which were running on existing capital will disappear with
depreciation. The usefulness (i. e. productivity) of the projects, however,
remains. Thus, the projects reemerge as "new" opportunities. In
simplest terms, with capital decumulation, the return to capital increases and
hence investment becomes more attractive, so that the I curve will shift
upwards (see Figure 4).
Similarly, as
capital is decumulated, consumer industries will disappear, prices rise and
hence real income (purchasing power) per head declines so that, to keep a given
level of real consumption, savings must decline. So, the S curve falls. Ultimately,
as time progresses and the curves keep shifting, as shown in Figure 4, until we
will reach another tangency between S and I analogous to the one before. Here,
points B and A merge at YA = YB and the system becomes
unstable so that the only stable point left is C. Hence, there will be a
catastrophic rise in production from YA to YC.
Fig.4 - Capital
Decumulation and Gravitation
Thus, we can
begin to see some cyclical phenomenon in action. YA and YC
are both short-term equilibrium levels of output. However, neither of them, in
the long-term, is stable. Consequently, as time progresses, we will be
alternating between output levels near the lower end (around YA) and
output levels near the higher end (around YC). Moving from YA
to YC and back to YA and so on is an inexorable
phenomenon. In simplest terms, it is Kaldor's trade cycle.
W. W. Chang and
D. J. Smyth (1971) and Hal Varian (1979) translated Kaldor's trade cycle model
into more rigorous context: the former into a limit cycle and the latter into
catastrophe theory. Output, as we saw via the theory of the multiplier,
responds to the difference between savings and investment. Thus:
dY/dt = a (I - S)
where a is the "speed" by
which output responds to excess investment. If I > S, dY/dt > 0. If I
< S, dY/dt < 0. Now both savings and investment are positive (non-linear)
functions of income and capital, hence I = I (K, Y) and S = S (K, Y) where
dI/dY= IY > 0 and dS/dY = SY > 0 while dI/dK = IK
< 0 and dS/dK = SK > 0, for the reasons explained before. At
any of the three intersection points, YA, YB and YC,
savings are equal to investment (I - S = 0).
We are faced
basically with two differential equations:
dY/dt = a [I (K,Y) - S (K,Y)], dK/dt
= I (K, Y)
To examine the
local dynamics, let us linearize these equations around an equilibrium (Y*, K*)
and restate them in a matrix system:
dY/dt
=
a (IY
- SY)
a (IK
- SK)
Y
dK/dt
IY
IK
[Y*, K*]
K
the Jacobian matrix of first derivatives evaluated locally
at equilibrium (Y*, K*), call it A, has determinant:
|A| = a (IY -
SY) IK - a (IK - SK) IY, = a (SKIY - IKSY)
where, since IK < 0 and SK, SY,
IY > 0 then |A| > 0, thus we have regular (non-saddlepoint)
dynamics. To examine local stability, the trace is simply:
tr A = a (IY - SY)
+ IK
whose sign, obviously, will depend upon the sign of (IY
- SY). Now, examine the earlier Figures 3 and 4 again. Notice around
the extreme areas, i. e. around YA and YC, the slope of
the savings function is greater than the slope of the investment function, i. e.
dS/dY > dI/dY or, in other words, IY - SY < 0. In
contrast, around the middle areas (around YB) the slope of the
savings function is less than the slope of the investment function, thus IY
- SY > 0. Thus, assuming Ik is sufficiently small, the
trace of the matrix will be positive around the middle area (around YB),
thus equilibrium B is locally unstable, whereas around the extremes (YA
and YC), the trace will be negative, thus equilibrium A and C are
locally stable. This is as we expected from the earlier diagrams.
To obtain the phase diagram in Figure 5, we must obtain the
isoclines dY/dt = 0 and dK/dt = 0 by evaluating each differential equation at
steady state. When dY/dt = 0, note that a [I (Y, K) - S (Y, K)]
= 0, then using the implicit function theorem:
dK/dY|dY/dt = 0 = - (IY - SY) / (IK - SK)
Now, we know from before that Ik < 0 and Sk
> 0, thus the denominator (Ik - Sk) < 0 for certain.
The shape of the isocline for dY/dt = 0, thus, depends upon the value of (Iy
- Sy). As we claimed earlier, for extreme values of Y (around YA
and YC), we had (IY - Sy) < 0, thus dK/dY|Y
< 0, i. e. the isocline is negatively shaped. However, around middle values
of Y (around YB), we had (IY - SY) > 0,
thus dK/dY|Y > 0, i. e. the isocline is positively shaped. This
is shown in Figure 5.
Fig.5
- Isokine for dY/dt = 0
From Figure 5, we see that at low values of Y (below Y1)
and high values of Y (above Y2), the isokine is negatively-sloped - this
corresponds to the areas in our earlier diagrams where the savings function was
steeper than the investment function (e. g. around YA and YC).
However, between Y1 and Y2, the isokine is
positively-sloped - which corresponds to the areas where investment is steeper
than savings (around YB in our earlier diagrams).
The off-isokine dynamics are easy, namely differentiating
the differential equation dY/dt for K:
d (dY/dt) /dK = a [IK -
SK] < 0
as IK < 0 and SK > 0. Thus,
above the isokine, dY/dt < 0, so output falls whereas below the isokine,
dY/dt > 0, so output rises. The directional arrows indicate these tendencies.
We can already get a flavor of Kaldor's trade cycle from Figure 6. Remember
that our earlier Kaldorian diagrams were drawn for a particular level of
capital, K. Thus, as we see in Figure 6, for a given level of K0, we
can find the corresponding equilibria (YA, YB, YC)
at the intersection between the isokine and the level line K0. However,
suppose we start at point C so that K begins to rise: notice that when K0
rises to K2, the points YC and YB begin to
move together and finally "merge" at the critical point D (which
corresponds to our old B=C) at point Y2. The underlying dynamic (represented
by the phase arrows) implies that point D is completely unstable so there will
be a catastrophic jump from D to the lower equilibrium E (which is where A
moved to as K rose from K0 to K2). Notice that during
this catastrophic fall in output is driven solely by the fast multiplier
dynamic - the slower-moving capital dynamic is inoperative as, in moving from D
to E, capital is constant at K2.
Figure 6
- Dynamics of the Kaldor Cycle
The rest of the story then follows in reverse. At E in
Figure 6, we are at a pretty low output level and thus capital decumulates and
so K declines from K2 past K0 and then on towards K1.
In the meantime, our lower two equilibrium begin to move towards each other and
A and B meet and merge at point F at Y1 (equivalent to our old A=B).
Note that the stability arrows in Figure 6 are such that now we must have a
catastrophic jump in output from F to point G (the high equilibrium to which
point C moved to as capital fell from K2 to K1). From G,
the process then begins again as capital rises at high output levels from K1
to K0 and onto K2.
The output cycle that can be traced out from the arrows
drawn in Figure 6 (from slow movement from G to C to D then catastrophic jump
to E then slow movement from E to A to F then catastrophic jump to G, etc) is
Kaldor's trade cycle: output thus fluctuates over time between the boundaries
imposed by the extreme points E (lower bound) and G (upper bound). Notice that
the cycle is completely endogenous: no exogenous shocks, ceilings,
floors, structurally unstable parameter values or ratchets are necessary to
obtain constant cycles. The non-linearity of the curves, which are
economically-justified and not exceptional, is more than sufficient to generate
endogenous cycles.
This version of Kaldor's model is derived a bit more
formally in Varian (1979) using catastrophe theory. However, we can also use
regular non-linear dynamical theory, which makes no assumptions about the
relative speeds of the dynamics, to obtain a cycle from the Kaldor model - and
this is what Chang and Smyth (1971) do. We have already derived the isokine
dY/dt = 0, so to get the full story, we need the dK/dt = 0 isokine. This is
simple. dK/dt = I (Y, K), thus at steady-state, dK/dt = 0 = I (Y, K) so the
isokine has slope:
dK/dY|K = - IY/IK > 0
as IY < 0 and IK > 0. Thus, the
dK/dt = 0 isokine is positive sloped. We have superimposed it on the other
isokine in Figure 7. For the off-isokine dynamics, note that:
d (dK/dt) /dY = IY > 0
so that the directional arrows drawn in for the dK/dt = 0
isokine imply that to the left of it, dK/dt < 0 (capital falls) whereas to
the right, dK/dt > 0 (capital rises). In the figure below, we have
superimposed the isokines for the whole system. As is obvious, the global
equilibrium, where dK/dt = dY/dt = 0, is at K* and Y* (point
E). Now, as we showed earlier, the trace of the system, tr A, is
positive around point E, thus we know that the global equilibrium is locally
unstable - as is shown in Figure 7 by the unstable trajectory that emerges when
we move slightly off the equilibrium point E. .
Fig.7 - Kaldor's
Trade Cycle
However, notice that the system as a whole is "stable":
when we draw a "box" around the diagram by imposing upper boundaries
Km and Ym in Figure 7 and letting the axis act as lower
boundaries, then the directional phase arrows around the boundaries of the box
indicate that we do not get out of the confines of this box - any
trajectory which enters the "box" will not leave it. Indeed, from the
distant boundaries, it almost seems as if we are moving towards the
global equilibrium (K*, Y*). Thus, while the equilibrium (K*, Y*) is locally
unstable, we are still confined within this "box". Note that we are
assuming complex roots to obtain stable and unstable focal dynamics as opposed
to simply monotonic ones.
In fact, these three conditions - complex roots, locally
unstable equilibrium and a "confining box" - are all that is
necessary to fulfill the Poincarй-Bendixson Theorem on the existence of a dynamic
"limit cycle". This limit cycle is shown by the thick black circle in
Figure 7 (not perfectly drawn) orbiting around the equilibrium. Any trajectory
that begins within the circle created by the limit cycle will be
explosive and move out towards the cycle. In contrast, any trajectory
that begins outside the circle will be dampened and move in
towards it. Two such trajectories are shown in Figure 7. Thus, the limit cycle
"attracts" all dynamic trajectories to itself and once a trajectory
confluences with the limit cycle, it proceeds to follow the orbit of the limit
cycle forever (as shown by the directional arrows on the cycle).
In essence, then, all trajectories are "stable", but
we are not speaking of a stable path towards a point (such as an equilibrium) but
rather of a stable path towards another path, i. e. the limit cycle. This is
the limit cycle version of the Kaldor trade cycle. For details on this version
of the Kaldor model and more general non-linear dynamics, particularly on
Poincarй-Bendixson and, more generally, the Hopf-Bifurcation
necessary to yield dynamic limit cycles, consult Chang and Smith (1971),
Gabisch and Lorenz (1987), Lorenz (1989) and Rosser (1991).
Beyond the fact
that these pioneers of non-linear dynamic systems in economics were all Keynesians,
there is a natural fellowship between non-linear dynamics and Keynesian cycle
theory: namely, that non-linear systems, in contrast to linear systems, are far
more capable of yielding regular endogenous macrofluctuations. This implies
that fluctuations are the outcome and indeed an integral part of a working
economy. As this concept was central to Keynes's (1936) static theory, it is no
surprise that Oxbridge researchers insist on endogenous cycles as a way of
extending it into a dynamic context. In contrast, Neoclassical theory seems to
be more apt to consider equilibrium as opposed to fluctuations as the central
feature of a working economy - and thus prefer to conceive of "fluctuations"
as the results of erratic displacements or aberrations from a working economy. The
Neoclassical concept of the economy, thus, is perfectly compatible with linear
systems; the Keynesian concept of endogenous cycles, however, seems to require
non-linear structures.