Philip Cross: A Nobel Prize in economics for flawed foundations

Share this Story : Financial Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Philip Cross: A Nobel Prize in economics for flawed foundations

Trying to found hoary macroeconomic relationships in sound microeconomic theory is an honourable pursuit but not easy to achieve

Earlier this month, American economists Robert Hall and Michael Woodford won the Nobel Prize in economics for their work on the “microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilization.” The two do deserve a Nobel, but not for their work on the micro foundations of macro. The idea that macroeconomics could be based on analyzing and aggregating individual behaviour was doomed to fail. The global financial crisis of 2008-9 left no doubt about that. It is a mystery why the Nobel committee overlooked that failure.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.

Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.

Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.

Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.

Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get........

© Financial Post