A note on financialization from a Classical-Keynesian standpoint

In this paper we present a Classical-Keynesian viewpoint on financialization by using Garegnani’s ‘integrated wage-commodity sector’ method. We focus on three aspects. First, we argue that financial instruments such as derivatives have played the role of ‘luxury’ goods, unnecessary and/or detrimental to the direct and indirect production of the wage-basket. Second, we show that the accumulation of household debt can result in a higher normal rate of profit. Third, there is scope to reconsider the connection between financialization and labour market institutions, which makes labour bargaining strength wane. Labour market relationships need not be strictly tied to financialization.