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Binding: PaperbackDewey Decimal Number: 330 EAN: 9780140285192 Edition: 5th Revised edition ISBN: 0140285199 Label: Penguin Manufacturer: Penguin Number Of Pages: 288 Publication Date: August 05, 1999 Publisher: Penguin Studio: Penguin Related Items:
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 Rating:  - As relevant today as in 1958Galbraith's classic economics text has been influential, but not quite influential enough - in a world of unsustainable consumption and runaway debt, we really need some of the ideas in this book. The central idea here is that the production model of the economy is fatally flawed. It is based, Galbraith believed, on a good idea that was no longer relevant. For lifting the US out of poverty and meeting people's needs, it had worked well. Now that people were affluent and their urgent needs were all met, it was foolishness. People aren't happy, they work too hard, there is still great inequality, and there is a growing rather than shrinking income gap between rich and poor. "In recent times" he writes, "no problem has been more puzzling to thoughtful people than why, in a troubled world, we make such poor use of our affluence." If he could say that in 1958, how much more so now. The growth model served its purpose, but the focus needs to be turned back towards equality, and towards wellbeing. The Affluent Society remains highly relevant today. In Galbraith's own words: "To furnish a barren room is one thing. To continue to crowd in furniture until the foundation buckles is quite another. To have failed to solve the problem of producing goods would have been to continue man in his oldest and most grievous misfortune. But to fail to see that we have solved it and fail to proceed hence to the next task would be fully as tragic." Rating: - Lucid and originalThis book is a pleasure to read, is crammed with original ideas and accessible explanations and offers a comprehensive insight into the economic landscape which simply makes a lot of sense. It is a particular joy that Galbraith does not stop at the traditional limits of economic discourse -- whenever he needs to stray into a related subject in order to construct a complete and persuasive explanation then he does so competently and without hesitation. However, I would also like to mention the relationship between this book and "The New Industrial State" (NIS) which Galbraith wrote some years later. The NIS clearly covers much the same ground, whilst incorporating the further development and refinement of Galbraith's thoughts over the following decade. As a result, the NIS has a broader scope and offers a more complete picture of a modern (as of 1970ish) industrial economy -- but is also a little less accessible and undoubtedly a "heavier" read. If you have read and enjoyed "The Affluent Society", then the NIS would be an excellent next step, in which the ideas presented here are refined and expanded, but "The Affluent Society" is a great place to start. Rating: - galbraith,brilliant economist/philosopher/social thinkeri have read all works by the leading economists,past and present(i studied economics&politics),and i can say galbraith is in a league on his own.having read all his works i can say that he is consistent in his assertions about market capitilism. in the affluent society he forsees the rise of the consumer society.he shows the freemarket system is imperfect.he explains why governments are important,he shows how the military is the third force.he explains the concept of conventional wisdom...and so on. if you want an antidote to milton friedman(the free market nutcase)then galbraith is it.read the affluent society and ponder Rating: - The one book that gets economics just rightThere hasn't been enough structure in the arguments against free-market economics recently and we are in serious need for some. Therefore, people like myself have to settle on books like this one; and what a gem it is. Galbraith is an economist who is untouchable in his field of work and it shows in the Affluent Society. A stunningly written piece, full of intelligent answers to questions others daren't ask. What makes his work stand out is how he makes it relevent to every aspect of society and many famous economists of the past and present. Any right-wingers or neo-liberals who dare to bad mouth Galbraith better read this book first and come up with some good answers as to why they disagree. I have read work from all positions of the economic spectrum and still havent found a single person that can outdo Galbraith and theres not a better example of his genius than here. His work is also very accessible to even the most novice on the subject and theres not one boring page in the book. If you are a libertarian socialist looking for answers, don't get bogged down in Marx's Capital, go for this book, or at least start with it. Rating: - A well written thought provocking economics handbook.The affluent society is a well written critique of established economic ideas by a brilliant writer. The book written in a clear and simple language is both insightful and thought provocking. The author started by critically appraising established economic ideas which he called "conventional wisdom". He went on to discuss the inherent flaws in accepting production as the most important goal of society. He then examined the concept of want creation, the ever inceasing problem of consumer debt, economic security, economic inequality and poverty. The main reason why i enjoyed the book it its language and message. I have never had the priviledge of reading a better written economics book. This is a book for all. Whether you an expert, a student or someone interested in the progress of his society, you will find this book interesting and worth the effort. Finally, the concluding remark by the author is a message i strongly identify with. He called on society to make it its goal the eradication of poverty and to control the production of weapons of mass destruction. As someone who resides in a developing country, where affluence exist side by side with extreme poverty, the goal of eradicating poverty is one which i fervently hope the leadership of my country will adopt.  Try searching the Internet for "The Affluent Society (Penguin Business)" or Ebay for "The Affluent Society (Penguin Business)". You might also be interested in the following great products:
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