The world-renowned economist offers "dourly irreverent analyses of financial debacle from the tulip craze of the seventeenth century to the recent plague of junk bonds."—The Atlantic.

In Economics in Perspective, renowned economist John Kenneth Galbraith presents a compelling and accessible history of economic ideas, from Aristotle through the twentieth century. Examining theories of the past that have a continuing modern resonance, he shows that economics is not a timeless, objective science, but is continually evolving as it is shaped by specific times and places. From Adam Smith's theories during the Industrial Revolution to those of John Maynard Keynes after the Great Depression, Galbraith demonstrates that if economic ideas are to remain relevant, they must continually adapt to the world they inhabit. A lively examination of economic thought in historical context, Economics in Perspective shows how the field has evolved across the centuries.

Money is nothing more than what is commonly exchanged for goods or services, so why has understanding it become so complicated? In Money, renowned economist John Kenneth Galbraith cuts through the confusions surrounding the subject to present a compelling and accessible account of a topic that affects us all. He tells the fascinating story of money, the key factors that shaped its development, and the lessons that can be learned from its history. He describes the creation and evolution of monetary systems and explains how finance, credit, and banks work in the global economy. Galbraith also shows that, when it comes to money, nothing is truly new--least of all inflation and fraud.

John Kenneth Galbraith's classic examination of the 1929 financial collapse.

Arguing that the 1929 stock market crash was precipitated by rampant speculation in the stock market, Galbraith notes that the common denominator of all speculative episodes is the belief of participants that they can become rich without work. It was Galbraith's belief that a good knowledge of what happened in 1929 was the best safeguard against its recurrence.

Atlantic Monthly wrote, "Economic writings are seldom notable for their entertainment value, but this book is. Galbraith's prose has grace and wit, and he distills a good deal of sardonic fun from the whopping errors of the nation's oracles and the wondrous antics of the financial community."

The world has become increasingly separated into the haves and have-nots. In The Culture of Contentment, renowned economist John Kenneth Galbraith shows how a contented class--not the privileged few but the socially and economically advantaged majority--defend their comfortable status at a cost. Middle-class voting against regulation and increased taxation that would remedy pressing social ills has created a culture of immediate gratification, leading to complacency and hampering long-term progress. Only economic disaster, military action, or the eruption of an angry underclass seem capable of changing the status quo. A groundbreaking critique, The Culture of Contentment shows how the complacent majority captures the political process and determines economic policy.

A new edition of John Kenneth Galbraith's international bestseller, updated and with a new introduction by the author.

As relevant today as when it was first published over forty years ago, The Affluent Society was recently named one of the New York Public Library's 'Books of the Twentieth Century'. Wittily, gracefully, devastatingly, Professor Galbraith attacks some of our most cherished economic myths. Why worship work and productivity if many of the goods we produce are superfluous - artificial 'needs' created by high-pressure advertising? Why grudge expenditure on vital public works while ignoring waste and extravagance in the private sector of the economy? Classical economics was born in a harsh world of mass poverty, and has left us with a set of preconceptions ill-adapted to the realities of our own richer age. And so, too often, 'the bland lead the bland'. Our unfamiliar problems need a new approach, and the reception given to this famous book has shown the value of its fresh, lively ideas.

Japan's economic reconstruction after total defeat in the Second World War has been an extraordinary phenomenon. Shigeto Tsuru, one of Japan's most eminent economists gives a comprehensive account of the recovery process, and a unique interpretation of the postwar Japanese economy.

With searing wit and incisive commentary, John Kenneth Galbraith redefined America's perception of itself in "The New Industrial State," one of his landmark works. The United States is no longer a free-enterprise society, Galbraith argues, but a structured state controlled by the largest companies. Advertising is the means by which these companies manage demand and create consumer "need" where none previously existed. Multinational corporations are the continuation of this power system on an international level. The goal of these companies is not the betterment of society, but immortality through an uninterrupted stream of earnings.

First published in 1967, "The New Industrial State" continues to resonate today.

Economic ideas are very much a product of their time and place. If we are to understand modern economics, we can do so only through an understanding of its past, including the powerful and vested interests that moulded the theories to their financial advantage. This is the message of this account.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

This is a new release of the original 1952 edition.

This is a new release of the original 1952 edition.

This is a new release of the original 1961 edition.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

2012 Reprint of 1952 Edition. Exact facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. This is an economics book intended for all literate Americans, but its boldness and penetration and the originality of its central thesis are so marked that it was destined to become a landmark for the professional economist and general public alike. Galbraith highlights the role of "Countervailing Power" in dealing with market failure and outlines its operation at the micro, and at the macro levels. At the micro level, firms might merge or band together to influence the price. Individual wage earners might also combine in unions to influence wage rates. Finally, government might intervene in the market place where required to provide regulation where countervailing power failed to develop but was nevertheless required. He concluded that Countervailing power was legitimate and welcome as the alternative of state control would be much less palatable to the business community. Without countervailing power, Galbraith concluded, private decisions could and presumably would lead to the unhampered exploitation of the public, or of workers, farmers and others who are intrinsically weak as individuals. Such decisions would be a proper object of state interference or would soon so become.

"Does It Pay?"
" ." . . . and the Page man asked the question that enters into every business transaction in these intensely practical days." - JKG "
Galbraith fans will delight in reading some of the earliest published articles by bestselling author John Kenneth Galbraith.
This book is a collection of the majority of interviews John Kenneth Galbraith wrote while he was the cub reporter for the St. Thomas Times-Journal, 1925-1932. The interviews read like conversations from the past. Read only the articles of interest to you one at a time, or read cover to cover to get a feel for the times - the frustration of farmers with ever changing standards and regulations or the success and pride of the Topnotchers that shines through loud and clear.
A surname index has been included so that readers may find their kin and hear the voices of their grandfathers or great uncles. These men speak plainly about conditions on southwestern Ontario farms during a time of great change. Change was not always embraced with enthusiasm in the rural community. Pasteurization and new health legislations had come into force, along with the Clean Seed Act, the gasoline engine, electricity and refrigeration, just to name a few. All of these followed the largest conflict in the world - the First World War. Along with all these changes came the crash of '29, prohibition, crop failures, the Great Depression and the prelude to World War II. How did they cope?
Throughout these articles, note how some of the problems faced some eighty years ago are still faced by farmers today. So much changes; yet so much stays the same. Can we learn and improve on our past mistakes? Can we look at mistakes made then and try not to repeat them? Can we take past successes and re-invent them for today's farming community that still faces economic challenges? Can each of us take the advice offered by these Topnotchers and apply it to our own situations? Only time will tell. Jenny Phillips has added her original pen & ink sketches as well as dozens of advertisements of the era to the articles, James Galbraith's foreword and the numerous indexes to give a comprehensive record of the times.
"My father delighted all his life in the incredible range of agricultural knowledge." "He used it in politics from time to time, though not always with great success." "He used it to guide his thinking and establish his authority on matters related to economic development, especially in India during his years as Ambassador to that vast, still agrarian democracy." "- James K. Galbraith, Economist and author of" The Predator State
"John Kenneth Galbraith's writing reveal that issues farmers faced 80 years ago are issues farmers are still confronted with today." "- Steve Peters MPP"
"I will always treasure that I had the opportunity to know the man from Elgin County who was the most influential economist of the 20th century""- Steve Peters MPP"
"Clearly John Kenneth Galbraith's Elgin roots never left him. His life story and accomplishments remind us that our rural way of life can inspire global achievements.""- Brian Masschaele, Elgin County Cultural Services Director."