About this title: 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.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Hamish Hamilton
Date Published: 1958
Description: Very good in very good dust jacket. Very Good, In very good dust jacket. 288p., 23 cm. Originally published, Houghton, Mifflin, 1958. read more
Edition: 15th printing
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: The New American Library, New York
Date Published: 1958
Description: Fine. No dust jacket as issued. pages aging like new, cover minimal wear, some nicks, edge wear, spine tight uncreased. 286 p. 18 cm. "A Mentor book. " read more
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: N A L, New York, New York, U.S.A.
Date Published: 1958
Description: Good. 12mo-over 6¾"-7¾" tall. A little wear & soiling to cover & pages at edges. Some underlining. SUMMARY: Study of the economics of opulence. A special Mentor publication. read more
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: The New American Library
Date Published: 1958
Description: Fair. No Jacket. Large Tear/Skin Missing Back Cover, Water Lines Bottem Left Corner, Page Ends Soiled, Spine NOT Creased, Text Is Unmarked, Reading Copy. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Mentor-New American Library, New York
Date Published: 1958
Description: Good. 12mo-over 6¾"-7¾" tall. Some cover, edge wear. Pages very good. The revolutionary study of the economics of opulence. Sought to clearly outline the manner in which the post-World War II America was becoming wealthy in the private sector but remained poor in the public sector, lacking social and physical infrastructure, and perpetuating income disparities. The book sparked much public discussion at the time, and it is widely remembered for Galbraith's popularizing of the term "conventional ... read more
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Mentor Book/New American Library
Date Published: 1958
Description: Good. Good condition overall. Worn cover. Tight Spine. Text lightly tanned, some faded staining to bottom third of some pages towards front. read more
"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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