Why was there inflation in the 1970s-1980s?
Could the economies of OECD countries return to the situation of the 1970s, marked by high and sustained inflation? As in the 1970s-1980s, commodity prices are likely to be high, at least periodically, given the various effects of the energy transition; But for rising commodity prices to create lasting inflation, it must lead to a n income distribution conflict between companies and employees. Rising commodity prices reduce earnings ; companies respond by raising prices; employees have the ability to get wages indexed to prices, which again reduces earnings. This dynamics was clearly present in the 1970s-1980s; today, it is not: the rise in commodity prices has not reduced profit margins (thanks to companies’ efficiency gains); for the time being, employees’ bargaining power is weak.