Affluent Society
by John Kenneth Galbraith
Affluent Society
John Kenneth Galbraith |
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 104)
Contrary to the assumptions made in the history of economic theory (from Adam Smith, Ricardo, Mathus and Marx) that the development of the industrial base inevitably leads to the total impoverishment of the working class, we seem to be witnessing quite the opposite. The working classes in the advanced capitalist societies have never had it so good. We now live in an affluent society. Despite the more horrible predictions of these founding fathers of economic theory not coming to pass we have ...more
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Read in September, 2006
recommends it for:
Economics Nerds
After his death, the remains of Galbraith, his ideas, were desecrated by Conservatives as wrong, evil, or silly, especially the latter. For Conservatives, who have "won" the last three decades of the economic debate in the United States, Galbraith could be reduced to a nice man with misguided ideas; he was something of a child. Look around: private enterprise--the "ownership society"--is rooted in the post-war U.S. psyche and the ideas have been exported, along with a neoli...more
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J.K. Galbraith argues that, due to new technologies that maximize resources and prolong the lifespan of the workforce, this era is characterized by relative affluence, and past ones by relative poverty. Therefore, the old assumptions in economics about the scarcity of resources and the efficiencies of distribution will have to be reworked. Galbraith was one of the first economists to argue that funding infrastructure - parks, libraries, health care, schools, transportation - didn't represent a d...more
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Read in May, 1999
Good introduction to the historically unprecedented conditions of affluence in the twentieth century. It was a big idea book of the fifties that dealt with consumer society of that time that was swimming in material prosperity for the majority of its members. It dealt with the problems that came with abundance including the beginings of turn away from civic culture and commonweal.
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Read in February, 2007
Obviously written a while ago, but it still seems largely relevant and the writing is excellent.
I believe this is the book where he coins the phrases "conventional wisdom" and "countervailing power."
Interesting look at politics and political wisdom, and also U.S. economic policy at the time. Seriously though, still relevant reading.
I believe this is the book where he coins the phrases "conventional wisdom" and "countervailing power."
Interesting look at politics and political wisdom, and also U.S. economic policy at the time. Seriously though, still relevant reading.
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Read in January, 2002
I think this book is what is meant by the phrase, "So bad it's good". It's truly astonishing how bad this book is, and even more astonishing how influential the book has been despite its complete awfulness. Galbraith was a master at making up economic theories to suit his political ideals, and this book is the king of them all.
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Ever think that pollution, pervasive advertising, and credit cards are evil? So did Harvard economist John Kenneth Galbraith. Read this in order to get a good sense of what a preeminent liberal economist was thinking during America's rise to global hegemon, and use it to smack around anyone who thinks Milton Friedman is god.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in February, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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A lot of reasons to like this guy, Ambassador to India, a pretty strong moral compass etc...but on average his ideas didn't really come close to panning out. Not that I'm a Milton Friedman nut or anything...
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Doesn't every teenager go through their John Kenneth Galbraith phase?
I can't believe I read this when I was in high school...for pleasure.
I can't believe I read this when I was in high school...for pleasure.
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recommends it for:
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I loved reading this when it was published!
These seemed like good ideas but quite a few of them failed as Galbraith later admitted.
These seemed like good ideas but quite a few of them failed as Galbraith later admitted.
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Galbraith is a decent writer, a terrible economist, and a worse judge of the quality of the evidence he collects.
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Read in November, 2007
Economics facts related with affluency and poverty. Some interesting ideas but nothing really special.
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recommends it for:
Jen Butler
I haven't really given it one star... I just haven't read enough of it to ascribe any stars.
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Read in January, 1989
Classic diagnosis of the fundamental misdirection of affluent countries' economic policies.
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Read in April, 2006
One of the only economists worth reading (ha ha).
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Read in March, 2007
Bought 23 March 2007
Read 26 March - 02 May 2007
Read 26 March - 02 May 2007
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Read in August, 2008
Money is good, spending it wisely is better.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in February, 2004
Beautiful. I reread every couple of years.
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