Arthur,

 

I would say that Interest is a “time” reward.

 

We invest exertion and we want the result at once. If we are asked to wait for the result of our exertion, we might do so for compensation. This is Interest.

 

Formally:

 

“Interest is the return for delaying satisfaction.”

 

If risk is involved, the lender may demand a higher payment, but this is insurance against loss. It will probably be added to Interest and still be called Interest, but it isn’t according to the definition above.

 

When Friendly Finance lends you money, they may charge 25% “Interest” but that cost includes the office, the advertising, the salaries, and all the other expenses. Although it is called Interest – it isn’t.

 

That is if we want to make sense of it all.

 

Harry

 

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From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, December 25, 2003 4:33 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: Risk-taking (wasRe: [Futurework] http://www.glaesernemanufaktur.de/

 

It seems that all returns to capital vary with the degree of risk.

 

Money in a secure FDIC or CDIC account will earn less than in a bank which does not have such insurance.  The higher returns covers the added risk if the bank fails.

 

So too with mutual funds.  "investors" are looking for a range of returns: the "growth" funds have earned more but have brought greater risk.  "Safe" funds bring a lower return but are usually safer, but still not insured by FDIC or CDIC

 

The capitalist invests in a venture.  After paying for production (materials, labour, distrib. etc. etc.) costs there is a residual, this can be called profit.  Usually the first entrant, if successful, has greater returns than would be the case than if invested in a range of other options.  These higher returns are called "abnormal profits."

 

Interestingly in economic theory it is this profit that is said to draw in new entrants to the market, so many that these "abnormal" profits are brought down.  With competition comes a whittling away of profits and with entry and exit there is some degree of normalcy in this new market.

 

With new entrants the remaining businesses are earning "normal" profits (probably a few points over risky bonds, but who knows)

 

Phew...Now I remember why I refused to teach economics.

 

good holidays to all.

 

Arthur

 

 


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