Comments and Discussion: The Fellner, Okun, and Gordon Reports

James Tobin and Saul H. Hymans

1971, No. 2

It is certainly desirable to find tests of the accelerationist hypothesis. The usual test is the value of the coefficient of “expected inflation,” for which the proxy is lagged inflation, in a regression explaining money-wage inflation. Professor Fellner’s interest in a more direct test is understandable. But, as he is quite aware, simple correlations like his (2) and (4) are not decisive. The trouble is correlation (5), the positive association of AU and U. This leaves us uncertain whether observed acceleration is to be explained by AU in conventional Phillips nonaccelerationist terms. Further calculations are required.

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Comments and Discussion: The Fellner, Okun, and Gordon Reports

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Comments and Discussion: The Fellner, Okun, and Gordon Reports

James Tobin and JT James Tobin Saul H. Hymans SHH Saul H. Hymans University of Michigan

James Tobin and Saul H. Hymans