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The Daily Insight

What is Pigou effect in macroeconomics?

Author

James Stevens

Updated on February 27, 2026

The Pigou effect states that when there is deflation of prices, employment (and thus output) will increase due to an increase in wealth (which increases consumption). According to the theory, price levels and employment fall, and unemployment rises.

What is Pigou theory?

The Pigou Effect is a theory proposed by the famous anti-Keynesian economist, Arthur Pigou. According to Pigou, during deflation, prices are low, which leads to greater real wealth. The increased wealth then stimulates demand, leading to a rise in output and, consequently, employment.

What is the Pigou effect and how does it result in a downward sloping aggregate demand curve?

The first reason for the downward slope of the aggregate demand curve is Pigou’s wealth effect. Recall that the nominal value of money is fixed, but the real value is dependent upon the price level. This is because for a given amount of money, a lower price level provides more purchasing power per unit of currency.

What equation did Pigou use?

Pigou has given his equation in the form of purchasing power (1/P). According to him, K was more important than M in explaining changes in the purchasing power of money. This means that the value of money depends upon the demand for money to hold cash balances.

What is LM curve?

The LM curve depicts the set of all levels of income (GDP) and interest rates at which money supply equals money (liquidity) demand. The intersection of the IS and LM curves shows the equilibrium point of interest rates and output when money markets and the real economy are in balance.

Why does quantitative easing not cause inflation?

The result is that hoarding continues, prices keep falling, and the economy grinds to a halt. The first reason, then, why QE did not lead to hyperinflation is because the state of the economy was already deflationary when it began. After QE1, the fed underwent a second round of quantitative easing, QE2.

What is quantitative easing and how does it affect the markets?

The QE Effect Quantitative easing pushes interest rates down. This lowers the returns investors and savers can get on the safest investments such as money market accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), Treasuries, and corporate bonds. That inspires investors to buy stock, which causes stock prices to rise.

What are the differences between the fisherian and Cambridge versions of the quantity theory of money?

Fisher’s approach stresses the supply of money, whereas, the Cambridge approach lays more emphasis on the demand for money to hold cash. 2. Definition of Money: The Fisherian approach emphasises the medium of exchange function of money, whereas the Cambridge approach stresses the store of value function of money.

How does the Pigou effect affect the IS curve?

As price levels decline, real balances increase and, by the Pigou Effect, consumption in the economy is stimulated. This creates a fresh set of IS-LM curves, where the IS curve intersects the LM curve above the horizontal liquidity trap portion at a higher interest rate. Consequently, the economy attains full employment equilibrium.

How does quantitative easing affect the IS-LM curve?

B) IS-LM curve. As can be seen, the effect of the expansionary monetary policy of quantitative easing causes the LM curve to shift outwards. However, there is no shift in the IS curve except for a movement along the line. The new lower rate (i2) induces investment and hence, higher output.

What is the main argument in Pigou’s real balance theory?

The main argument Pigou emphasizes is the lack of any link between real balances and current consumption in the General Theory of Keynes. His real balance effect theory tries to provide a link that explains the economy as being more self-correcting to changes in aggregate demand than what John Keynes predicted.

Can the government create a Pigou effect?

The Pigou effect is also known as the “real balance effect.” The Pigou effect states that price deflation will result in an increase in employment and wealth, enabling the economy to return to its “natural rates.” Harvard economist Robert Barro has contended that the government cannot create a Pigou effect by issuing more bonds.