First issued in 1937 and then revised in 1957, "Prosperity and
Depression" focuses on the task of analyzing existing theories of
the business cycle and deriving a synthetic account of the nature
and possible causes of economic fluctuations. The application, as
far as possible, of quantitative tests to the various causal
hypotheses--influences the manner in which the problem of economic
cycles is approached in Haberler's book. The first part on "The
Systematic Analysis of the Theories of the Business Cycle" gathers
various hypotheses of explanation, to test their logical
consistency and their compatibility with one another and with
accepted economic principles. It gives a well rounded picture of
the possible explanations of economic fluctuations. The second
part, "Synthetic Exposition Relating to the Nature and Causes of
Business Cycles" argues that there are many points where no
definitive solution can be proposed, but have a number of
possibilities. The choice between these can then be made only on
the basis of empirical investigations. Haberler argues that
theoretical reasoning supported only by broad facts as one happens
to know without special statistical or historical investigations
can create intelligent questions, but it cannot definitely answer
them. By analyzing various theories and explanations of the
business cycle, this book clarifies a number of issues presupposed.
The difference between the theories analyzed is not as complicated
as is sometimes believed. In fact it is shown how theories which
seem "prima facie" to contradict one another can be reconciled.
David Felix's new introduction underlines the continuing importance
of this classic.
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