Historical Context

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In the captivating pages of The Affluent Society, Galbraith artfully weaves together sweeping allusions to monumental historical milestones like the Industrial Revolution, the devastating depression, and the epochal launch of Sputnik.

The Industrial Revolution

Unlike a typical political upheaval, the Industrial Revolution was a grand tapestry of transformative changes that unfolded across the economic, social, and political landscapes of European culture throughout the nineteenth century. This era marked a seismic shift from agrarian economies reliant on farm labor to burgeoning industrial economies driven by factory work. It was an age of technological marvels, from groundbreaking transportation innovations to novel energy sources and labor-saving machinery. The rise of an urban working middle-class catalyzed new political movements championing reform and leanings toward more democratic systems. It all began in Britain, gaining momentum from 1760 to 1840, and subsequently rippling through Belgium in the early 1800s, France by mid-century, and Germany by the late 1800s. As the twentieth century dawned, the United States and Japan emerged as leaders in this industrial metamorphosis, with nations like Russia, China, and India also embracing rapid development. Galbraith frequently references the sweeping transformations instigated by the Industrial Revolution, particularly concerning the evolution of economic thought.

The Depression

Delving into the economic turmoil of the Great Depression, Galbraith frequently highlights the dire conditions that plagued the United States following the catastrophic stock market crash of 1929, enduring until the onset of World War II in 1939. This era was marred by staggering unemployment rates, soaring as high as twenty-five to thirty percent, coupled with a dramatic slump in industrial production. The depression's impact soon rippled across Europe through strained international trade relations. In response, President Roosevelt, assuming office in 1933, spearheaded the New Deal—a suite of policies aimed at addressing the economic woes of the time. The effectiveness of the New Deal remains a topic of debate. Nonetheless, the burgeoning demand for wartime materials from American industry with the advent of World War II effectively closed this somber chapter.

The Cold War and the Launching of Sputnik

Galbraith attributed part of the initial success of The Affluent Society in 1958 to the heightened tensions of the Cold War, epitomized by the Soviet Union's groundbreaking achievement of launching Sputnik. Spanning from the end of World War II in 1945 until the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, the Cold War was a fraught period of geopolitical rivalry, with the communist East and the democratic West locked in a battle of ideologies. A defining feature of this era was the arms race, as both sides poured resources into amassing ever-more devastating nuclear arsenals. The Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik in 1957, the first human-made satellite, marked a pivotal moment, igniting American fears about Soviet supremacy in technological prowess. This event sparked a national crisis of confidence, prompting Americans to question the quality of their scientific and industrial advancements amidst national prosperity. Galbraith’s tome arrived at a time when Americans were fervently seeking explanations for how a communist nation could surpass the U.S. in technological triumphs.

Literary Style

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Stylistic Flourish

In The Affluent Society, John Kenneth Galbraith expertly employs a stylistic flourish, transforming his economic insights into a captivating experience for the average reader. Robert Lekachman, in his introduction to Charles H. Hession's John Kenneth Galbraith and His Critics (1972), aptly notes, "As even casual readers and severe critics of Galbraith usually attest, the man writes a lovely English prose—witty, supple, eloquent." With his deft use of figurative language and Biblical allusions, Galbraith's talent for crafting memorable, original expressions shines brightly. In the book's opening chapter, he cautions that his work introduces provocative and novel ideas—boldly challenging widely held...

(This entire section contains 380 words.)

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conventional beliefs. Illustrating this, he critiques a societal climate where "the bland lead the bland," a clever twist on the familiar Biblical saying, "the blind leading the blind." Through this playful manipulation of language, Galbraith smartly critiques the dull uniformity that typifies defenders of the status quo. Though such remarks may not directly pertain to economic theory, they vividly highlight the stylistic flair with which Galbraith adeptly conveyed intricate concepts to the public, transforming what might have been a tedious economic discourse into a sensational bestseller.

Epigraphs

In a masterful touch, Galbraith opens two chapters with incisive epigraphs, succinct quotes that resonate with the themes he explores. For instance, in chapter 10, he draws from W. Beckerman's 1956 article, "The Economist as Modern Missionary," wherein Beckerman warns, "the problem of creating sufficient wants … to absorb productive capacity may become chronic in the not too distant future." This insight underpins Galbraith's argument that economic abundance poses its own problems in affluent societies, where consumer demand hardly matches the excess of goods produced. He expounds on this by suggesting that industries such as advertising have mushroomed to artificially spark desires that consumers naturally lack. Thus, Galbraith skillfully uses Beckerman's observation as a launching pad for his own compelling critique.

In another instance, chapter 17 commences with a poignant quote from economist R. H. Tawney, who surmises that wealth cannot purchase health or happiness. Building on Tawney's wisdom, Galbraith advocates for a "social balance" where the government addresses vital needs beyond consumer wealth, like education and social services. By beginning with Tawney, a respected social historian, Galbraith not only enriches his narrative but also fortifies his argument with the weight of Tawney's respected views.

Compare and Contrast

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  • 1950s: In the wake of the communists' triumph, China undergoes a lightning-fast metamorphosis as the Industrial Revolution finally sweeps across its lands.

    Today: While some argue that the Industrial Revolution has given way to the Information Age, this era is defined by groundbreaking advancements in computer and information technology, reshaping the very fabric of labor and production.

  • 1950s: This post-war period sees the United States basking in a golden era of economic prosperity.

    Today: The United States remains buoyant on the economic front, celebrating some of the lowest unemployment rates in decades. However, after basking in the late nineties' stock market gains, a shadow creeps in as the market stumbles and layoffs strike in 2001.

  • 1950s: The Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite, rattles the United States, provoking a reevaluation of its own scientific and technological prowess. Thus, the "space race" ignites, prompting the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to spearhead space exploration advancements. Soon, the United States celebrates the launch of its own satellite, Explorer.

    Today: The United States and Russia embark on a cosmic collaboration, forging a partnership in their space station endeavors, integrating the U.S. space shuttle with Russia's Mir station as they venture into the vast expanses of space together.

Media Adaptations

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  • Galbraith played a pivotal role in shaping the television series The Age of Uncertainty, which premiered on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in 1977, captivating audiences with its insightful exploration of economic theories.

Bibliography and Further Reading

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Sources
Beckerman, W. ‘‘The Economist as Modern Missionary,’’ in Economic Journal, March 1956.

‘‘The Great Mogul,’’ in Time, February 16, 1968, p. 24.

Hession, Charles H. John Kenneth Galbraith and His Critics. New American Library, 1972, pp. x, 95.

McFadzean, Sir Frank. The Economics of John Kenneth Galbraith: A Study in Fantasy. Centre for Policy Studies, 1977, pp. vii, 1.

Pratson, Frederick J. Perspectives on Galbraith: Conversations and Opinions. CBI Publishing Company, Inc., 1978, pp. ix–xiii, 49–50, 54.

Reisman, David. Galbraith and Market Capitalism. New York University Press, 1980, p. 6.

Sharpe, Myron E. John Kenneth Galbraith and the Lower Economics. International Arts and Sciences Press, Inc., 1973, p. x.

Stanfield, James Ronald. John Kenneth Galbraith. Macmillan, 1996, pp. ix, 41–42, 59.

Further Reading
Galbraith, John Kenneth. Name-Dropping: From FDR On. Houghton Mifflin Co., 1999. Galbraith offers personal anecdotes about his encounters with a variety of United States presidents and other high-level government officials.

———. A Tenured Professor. Houghton, 1990. A Tenured Professor is Galbraith’s novel about a professor and his wife who discover a stock market scam that allows them to spend their enormous earnings on liberal causes.

Marx, Karl, and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Manifesto. W. W. Norton, 1988. The Communist Manifesto (originally published in 1848) is the widely read pamphlet outlining Marx’s and Engels’s basic theories of socialism.

Reisman, David. Tawney, Galbraith, and Adam Smith. St. Martin’s Press, 1982. Reisman provides a comparative analysis of the economic theories of Galbraith, Adam Smith, and R. H. Tawney.

Sasson, Helen, ed. Between Friends: Perspectives on John Kenneth Galbraith. Houghton Mifflin Co., 1999. Between Friends is a collection of essays by a variety of people who have encountered Galbraith, both at the professional and the personal level.

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