Jul 30, 2019

Irving Fisher on debt, deflation and the business cycle

29. When over-indebtedness stands alone, that is, does not lead to a fall of prices, in other words, when its tendency to do so is counteracted by inflationary forces (whether by accident or design), the resulting "cycle" will be far milder and far more regular.

30. Likewise, when a deflation occurs from other than debt causes and without any great volume of debt, the resulting evils are much less. It is the combination of both—the debt disease coming first, then precipitating the dollar disease—which works the greatest havoc.

~ Irving Fisher, "The Debt-Deflation Theory of Great Depressions," September 1933

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