A noção de equilíbrio na Teoria Geral do Emprego, do Juro e da Moeda

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to conduct an investigation into the nature of the notion of equilibrium used by Keynes in his General Theory of Employment, Interest and Currency. The justification for undertaking such an effort is given, first, by the fact that there is no single definition and application for the notion of equilibrium in economic science and, second, by the existence of controversies and confusions even among Post-Keynesian about what would be the essence and distinctive characteristics of this notion in Keynes's magnum opus. In order to achieve this objective, a philosophical-methodological analysis of the notion of equilibrium is carried out, in order to establish an analytical structure capable of providing basic parameters that assist in the definition, classification and comparison of the nuances assumed by this notion in the scope of economics. In the aftermath, a classification of Post-Keynesian interpretations referring to the notion of equilibrium present in the TG is elaborated, seeking to give a certain order to them, something that constitutes a first approximation in relation to the central object of this thesis. Finally, the sections of the TG that are related to some of the dimensions of the notion of equilibrium are investigated, based on the analytical structure defined in the first chapter. As a result, it can be highlighted (i) that equilibrium can be analyzed from the semantic, methodological and ontological dimensions; (ii) that this multidimensional characteristic of equilibrium generates interpretive controversies among Post-Keynesians about the nature of this notion in TG; (iii) and that there are passages in this work that can be associated with each of these dimensions, what helps to define the characteristics of the equilibrium employed by Keynes. With this analysis effort, it is intended to contribute to the literature by establishing a more comprehensive and less ambiguous form of analysis, which serves to alleviate the innumerable controversies that remain latent in this matter.