General equilibrium theory is one of the most debated theories of capitalism. Proposed by French economist Leon Walras in the 1870s, the general equilibrium theory mostly observes the fundamental characteristics of supply and demand in compound markets. The main objective of the theory of general equilibrium is to prove that all prices in the market are at equilibrium. It further defines the mechanisms, by which the choices of economic agents across all markets are coordinated. General equilibrium theory differs from partial equilibrium theory by the fact that it attempts to cover characteristics of several markets instead of narrowing down to a single market. This paper discusses the reservations raised by analysts as to why general equilibrium theory is irrelevant as a positive theory to capitalism, and why the belief in its uniqueness and stability is obsolete. In addition, the paper describes the essence and characteristics of capitalism and explains the relevant theories of capitalism and how capitalism operates.
General Equilibrium Theory and Capitalism
Since its inception, the theory of general equilibrium has been known as the crown jewel of neo-classical economics. However, changes in business systems, associated with the technological innovations that have brought about globalization, have overruled the theory of general equilibrium in terms of advancing a misleading concept that declined to equate the market socialism to capitalism. This has made the theory regarded as a grand total failure hence it is dead. Its implications in the business systems today and its cognitive status have raised a lot of controversies among the analysts who keep questioning its validity.
The first major shortcoming of the theory of general equilibrium is that it identifies the conditions that are actually unrealistic since it is not possible to attain an economy that has ideal composition and information without transaction costs. This cannot apply to the real-world situation because serious deficiency of the afore-mentioned components is tantamount to corporate philanthropy. Such businesses will not have any basis to operate since they will soon plunge into serious deficit and become extinct. Besides, the theory reiterates that nobody is able to establish business conditions for uniqueness or stability. Approved conditions leading to uniqueness are said to be theoretically unattractive and therefore are highly unrealistic. Concerning the issue of stability, those who are skeptical about the theory verify that provided there are more consumers than commodities in the market, there will always be a set of consumer favorites and endowments, which will definitely influence fluctuations in prices of commodities.
To have a better understanding of the equilibrium theory, one should realize what would happen in case a question is posed to a person who would be totally ignorant of the economic theory. For instance, what the situation would be like if the economy was organized around the individual exchange, motivated by greed but manipulated by a chain of agents. The most definite answer to such queries would be chaos. This kind of disposition often raises a lot of uproar among the economists who subjected the whole theory to a joke to the extent of excluding it from the list of positive theories of capitalism. There is no way the country’s economy can be in equilibrium if expectations, resources and people’s patterns of trade are ever changing.
The possibility of a general equilibrium to exist depends on excess demand or supply in any given market. It is very uncertain that the conditions of such a general equilibrium would be obtained. Conditions of this kind would perhaps include perfect information for all the partakers in the economy to become aware of the introduction of stringent conditions, involving no transaction costs and perfect competition among others. It is also probable that a decentralized competitive market system can be entangled into equilibrium once it gets there following the competing factors that would be functioning under equal conditions. Nevertheless, the perplexing question is; whether or not a decentralized spirited market system can remain in equilibrium, once it achieves it. Moreover, the following question is to be answered. If to suggest that a disruption of price occurs in an economy in general equilibrium, under what circumstances would that economic resume the general equilibrium status.
Finally, general equilibrium theory is committed to answering the question of whether and when the purported equilibrium will be effective. This confirms that such equilibrium is Pareto-efficient in a way that once the economy is in general equilibrium; no one can be made better without making another person worse than before. If everyone operates in a perfectly competitive market to perpetuate his/her own interest, everyone is bound to achieve economic benefits and progress. It is, therefore, wiser for a person not to interfere in highly competitive markets, as this completely thwarts the spirit of trade.
The Essence and Characteristics of Capitalism
The system of capitalism commonly favors privately owned enterprises and embraces a diversity of opinions and specializations. The conventional rationale behind it is dynamism of its innovations implemented in an inclusive way. At the same time, its propensity to cause instability is what has made it earn a negative reputation since it has been the reason behind the global economic crises, which have had untold consequences to both employed and non-employed. Capitalism by its very nature provides an avenue for anyone to contribute to the creation of wealth either directly or indirectly.
However, the principles of capitalism have in some cases been subjected to ridicule following its inability to guarantee the widespread innovation across the economic and social institutions. The failure of these institutions to perform according to the capitalist standards is quite conspicuous. Even worse, there is prevalent wayward functioning of the institutions which have adopted this rationale, taking into account the magnitude of benefits of this system, both in productivity and more generally to the recoup of its participants.
Besides, the extent of its irrelevance in regar