The book received praise from critics for tackling conventional thought and offering new solutions to economic problems. Galbraiths book is a slightly awkward subject, written in 1958, went through four. Galbraiths phrase conventional wisdom, a key concept introduced in the affluent society, has entered common. The affluent society by john kenneth galbraith alibris. The affluent society john kenneth galbraith download. This manifests itself in an implacable tendency to provide an opulent supply of. About the author john kenneth galbraith was an economist, professor, columnist and the author of 30 books, including the. The affluent society book by john kenneth galbraith. Galbraiths elegantly written ideas and his clear, concise arguments about the strengths and weaknesses of the affluent society have influenced a generation. The final problem of the productive society is what it produces. Written by harvard economist john kenneth galbraith and published in 1958, the affluent society survives as one of the most influential books of the last half of the 20th century. John kenneth galbraith oc october 15, 1908 april 29, 2006, also known as ken galbraith, was a canadianamerican economist, public official and diplomat, and a leading proponent of 20thcentury american liberalism. The affluent society and the dependence effect galbraiths first foray into consumption theory is in the affluent society 1958. The economists prose, lofty but still easily manageable, laid down the gauntlet for the post.
No24 the affluent society by john kenneth galbraith 1958. The affluent society the concept of the conventional wisdom economics and the tradition of despair the uncertain reassurance the american mood the marxian pall inequality economic security the paramount position of production the imperatives of consumer demand the dependence effect the illusion of national. John kenneth galbraiths international bestseller the affluent society is a witty, graceful and devastating attack on some of our most cherished economic myths as relevant today as when it was first published over forty years ago, this newly updated edition of galbraiths classic text on the economics of abundance, lays bare the hazards of individual and social complacency about economic. Many people liked that book because of their view that galbraith, like thorstein veblen before him, attacked production that was geared to conspicuous consumption. One of those rare works that forces a nation to reexamine its values the new york times. The book sought to clearly outline the manner in which the postworld 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.
Buy a cheap copy of the affluent society book by john kenneth galbraith. The affluent society is a book ive seen quoted many times, and so its been on my reading list for a little while. John kenneth galbraiths the affluent society dissent. Despite all the polysyllabic rhetoric about social science, about exploratory hypotheses and scrupulous verification and laborious systembuilding, it is nevertheless the obvious case that important social theories convince us by their selfevidence. His books on economic topics were bestsellers from the 1950s through the 2000s, a time during which galbraith fulfilled the role of public intellectual. The affluent society 1958, john kenneth galbraiths most broadly influential book, stands out among works of economic analysis for its accessible writing style, which makes complex economic concepts and arguments understandable to the popular reader.
Although the thesis was not astoundingly new having long been argued by veblen, mitchell and knight his attack on the myth of consumer sovereignty went against the cornerstone of mainstream economics and, in many ways. The affluent society by galbraith, john kenneth book the fast free shipping. The affluent society by john kenneth galbraith goodreads. One of those rare works that forces a nation to reexamine its values the. As relevant today as when it was first published over forty years ago, this newly updated edition of galbraiths classic text on the economics of abundance, lays bare the hazards of individual and social. The affluent society is a 1958 4th edition revised 1984 book by harvard economist john kenneth galbraith. First edition, early impression, 14th, of this landmark work, depicting a consumer culture gone wild, rich in goods but poor in the social services that make for community.
John kenneth galbraith, the affluent society 1958 argued that as society becomes relatively more affluent wealth, private businesses must create consumer desire through advertising, and while it generates artificial affluence through the production of commercial goods and service, the public sector becomes neglected as a result. The affluent society a mentor book 1958 paperback mt534. The open mind sunday, june 15, 1958 nbc television moderator. The affluent society by john kenneth galbraith 19581223 rated 0. Both politically divisive and remarkably prescient, the affluent society is as relevant today on the question of wealth in america as it was in 1958. Buy the affluent society by john kenneth galbraith 19581223 by isbn. John kenneth galbraiths classic investigation of private wealth and public poverty in postwar america with customary clarity, eloquence, and humor, harvard economist john kenneth galbraith gets at the heart of what economic security means in the affluent society.
I am rereading the affluent society with pleasure and profit. Conventional wisdom has it that john kenneth galbraiths the affluent society spawned the neoliberalism we see in bill clinton, tony blair, and other world leaders. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. In the new industrial state 1967 he envisioned a growing similarity between. Koch american philosophy collection mentor book the finney collection. Read more galbraiths classic on the economics of abundance is, in the words of the new york times, a.
After the passage of a significant chunk of time, most of what galbraith had to. John kenneth galbraith the affluent society 1st edition. The affluent society is a 1958 book by harvard economist john kenneth galbraith. The affluent society richard heffners open mind archive. I happened to find a secondhand copy recently, a first edition 1958 copy no less, and so i read it last week. John kenneth galbraiths classic investigation of private wealth and public poverty in postwar america. John kenneth galbraiths international bestseller the affluent society is a witty, graceful and devastating attack on some of our most cherished economic myths. The affluent society by john kenneth galbraith the 67th. I dont mean to frighten him or some of his faithful readers. As the major theme of the book, i urged that the production of goods and services is the measure of. Professor john kenneth galbraith, dean louis hacker, mr. Buy a cheap copy of the affluent society by john kenneth.
The affluent society is not really a book about economics. Other articles where the affluent society is discussed. Galbraith, the wellknown harvard professor, has worked out a plan for a socialist society. Although galbraith occasionally touches on some related issues, its not truly about keynsian stimulous, the balance between inflation and full employment, islm models, or similar economic details. Warning against individual and societal complacence about economic inequity, he offers an economic model for investing in public. Written by harvard economist john kenneth galbraith and published in 1958, the affluent society survives as one of the most.
John kenneth galbraiths the affluent society revisited. The affluent society, 1958 from john kenneth galbraith. Affluent society by galbraith, john kenneth hardback book the fast free shipping. It was his smallish 1958 book, the affluent society, that earned galbraith his popular reknown and professional emnity. The affluent society, by john kenneth galbraith the.
Forty years later, galbraiths the affluent society has been republished, updated and boasting a new introduction by the author. John kenneth galbraiths work of economic history, the affluent society is 1958, outlines how world war ii reshaped americas public and private sector wealth for the worse. With customary clarity, eloquence, and humor, harvard economist john kenneth galbraith gets at the heart of what economic security means in the affluent society. The affluent society 0395925002 by galbraith, john kenne. The affluent society by john kennedy galbraith and a great selection of related books. The affluent society by john kenneth galbraith 19581223. Full text of the affluent society 1958 internet archive. Galbraith made his biggest splash with his 1958 book, the affluent society, in which he contrasted the affluence of the private sector with the squalor of the public sector. No24 the affluent society by john kenneth galbraith 1958 an optimistic bestseller in which jfks favoured economist promotes investment in.
The affluent society, by john kenneth galbraith irving. Reading the affluent society is a revitalising and empowering shot in the arm for anyone questioning in any way what jk calls the conventional wisdom. While affluent society and conventional wisdom first used in this book have entered the vernacular, the message of the book has not been so widely embraced. John kenneth galbraiths international bestseller the affluent society is a. Revisiting john kenneth galbraiths the affluent society.