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Institutions And The Business Cycle, Howard J. Sherman

HOWARD J SHERMAN

Feudal European political-economic institutions included a self-sufficient manor with very little market exchange, barter rather than money, and production motivated only by the need of the manor rather than a profit. All of these institutions meant that a business cycle was impossible, though there were many other problems. Capitalist institutions include production only for market exchange, a monetary economy, and production motivated only by profit. All of these institutions make possible the business cycle--since a contraction may occur if there is insufficient monetary demand to buy the supply at a price including a profit.