Re: Why nobody listens to Keynesians

[Harry Veeder <aa361@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Paul Rosenberg:
> I'm disputing what you just said, obviously.
>
> Status conscious + materialistic ====> increased role for positional
> goods.
>
> Put it like this, Harry, the bumper stickers in the 60s said "Make Love,
> Not War", they did *NOT* say "He who dies with the most toys wins" like
> they do today.
>
> Beyond that, what can I say?  If you have to have the evidence explained
> to you, you'll never understand.
>
> >I only suggested this might be one factor contributing to the
> > unpopularity of Keynesianism.
>
> If the premise were true, which it isn't.  The converse is true.  Which
> suggests that you're whole line of reasoning is kerflempt.
>

The diffusion of "radical" values through society takes time. The '60's only
marked the *beginning* of a cultural revolution. It is better to assess the
adoption of new values by studying the values and beliefs of people in
positions power. In this respect, the anti-war and civil rights
movement had a relative quick and  lasting affect on voters and
people in government. However, there was not a similar quick impact on the
nature of economic relations. The majority of businesses, workers and
consumers had no pressing need to listen to the anti-materialist notions of
misguided youth, after all the economy wasn't killing their children. Today,
although people aren't shouting anti-materialist solgans, the values did
survive and have gradually altered business, employment and consumption
decisions.

Harry Veeder