In eloquent prose, Galbraith's AFFLUENT SOCIETY examines the gap between the rich and poor, arguing that within that space an ethical imperative exists to sustain all of humanity. Taking the largest view possible, Galbraith traces the influence of wealth in and out of its economic context, showing how valuable resources are controlled to devastating effect.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Description: Near Fine. NO spine crease, clean flat square tight, wear to outer edge of front cover. pages starting to tan with age but clean flat square.
"I read this for the Capitalism/Democracy/Socialism course taught under the aegis of Loyola University Chicago's Philosophy Department in the first semester of 1981/82. The teacher, a Ph.d. in both Philosophy and Mathematics, ran the course as an ongoing debate between three orientations. The first, the free market capitalist, was primarily represented by Milton Friedman. The second, the Keynesian capitalist, was primarily represented by J.K. Galbraith. The third, the market socialist, was primarily represented by David Schweickart, our instructor.
I decided to take the Keynesian position simply because I figured most of the students would adopt the more extreme views either out of conviction or to suck up to the professor. Besides, I'd long been a democratic socialist and had read some stuff not only about syndicalism but also about council socialism and the experiments with markets in Yugoslavia (a hot and much idealized topic with some old high school friends) and wouldn't have found arguing that position very challenging, particularly since Schweickart's model was so attractive. Finally, Galbraith was far and away the stylistically best, wittiest and most influential writer of the lot. Understanding him would help me understand the arguments of liberal orthodoxy and it would be fun.
"Classic book basically making the argument that rich countries have no excuse not to offer social welfare programs like universal health care and various social safety net policies to their citizens."
"The Affluent Society did not provide the gentlest introduction into economics, but neither did I expect simplicity from a thinker as influential as Galbraith."
"This book didn't knock my socks off at all times but it is definitely full of incredibly useful information, insight, and analysis. The density of ideas here is pretty high which is always a plus when reading a book and I am particularly amazed at the prescience of many of the ideas in the book.
The occasional wit or snark breaks up the seriousness of an admittedly serious topic but I think Galbraith used it judiciously and effectively.
One of his most interesting theories was actually reminiscent of an argument about health in the book "Food Matters" which I recently read.
Galbraith's is about the historical need to produce to capacity out of sheer need due to inefficient and lack of technology. Due to this historic need we have held hard work, employment, and full production in general in a very high (even moral) standing. Since we currently have much less difficulty producing strictly our needs there can technically be a strategic place for either some people not being producers or less than capacity production. Our morals have yet to catch up to allow this without looking down on others.
In a similar way, people used to eat meat whenever they could because food (and protein specifically) was scarce and meat is calorie and fat dense so you don't need as much of it. Now we (or most in the developed world) have no problem getting enough food, protein, calories, and fat so we don't need to eat as much meat as we can get our hands on because we can now acquire more than would be healthy to eat. We still eat too much of it out of tradition and perception.
I think this book is invaluable to understanding economic thoughts and beliefs and Galbraith lays out a robust case in the Affluent Society."
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