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The Big Three in Economics

Adam Smith, Karl Marx, and John Maynard Keynes

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The Big Three in Economics

By: Mark Skousen
Narrated by: Jeff Riggenbach
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About this listen

 The Big Three in Economics reveals the battle of ideas among the three most influential economists in world history: Adam Smith, representing laissez faire; Karl Marx, reflecting the radical socialist model; and John Maynard Keynes, symbolizing big government and the welfare state. History comes alive in this fascinating story of opposing views that continue to play a fundamental role in today's politics and economics.

In the 21st century, Adam Smith's "invisible hand" model has gained the upper hand, and capitalism has ultimately won the ideological battle over socialism and interventionism. But even in the era of globalization and privatization, Keynesian and Marxist ideas continue to play a significant role in economic policy in the public and private sectors.

©2007 Mark Skousen (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc. Economic History Economics Professionals & Academics Social Scientists & Psychologists Taxation Capitalism Government Socialism Economic disparity Economic Inequality Liberalism Marxism Soviet Union US Economy Deficit Economic Policy Banking Deflation Tariff Latin America

Critic Reviews

"Thoughtful, acutely observed and profoundly moving....Barker mixes brilliantly observed contemporary realism and mystical overtones with dazzling skill. The book has the grip of a superior thriller while introducing, with no sense of strain, a sense of sorrowful mortality that lingers long after the last page." (Publishers Weekly)
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As someone who has not read any of the author's prior books, I found this worthwhile. However, the author's biases come through, and are manifest in overly simplistic assertions. For example, questions about whether investment or consumption are better for economic growth, in my mind, border on idiocy. Clearly both C and I have to form a proporton of GDP in a healthy economy. If there is no C then clearly there is no capacity for I. After all, if the purpose of I is not to enlarge C, then what is its purpose? And if C is too small, then its enlargement will require very little I.

It's high time economists removed the entanglements of Left vs Right ideology.

worthwhile

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Buy this book if you just wanna hear how amazing free markets and laissez faire economics are and what a righteous genius Adam Smith was and hear Karl Marx called 'possessed by evil' and 'responsible for more suffering than any human who ever lived'. This book is neither unbiased or objective and conveniently overlooks the millions who have died due to Chicago school free market neo liberalism in South America, Africa and the Middle East

WILDLY BIASED

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The Authers biases and inability to engage with Marx's theories undermined the whole book.

Not worth the time

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This book was both incredibly boring and incredibly biased. It’s clear the author is Adam Smiths biggest fan.

Bored to death

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