By: Sheldon Richman

Sheldon Richman — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:37:48 +0000

Wirkman, I admire your research project. Keep me posted. The Freeman is always looking for top-notch material. And yes, I definitely recommend that you read Hazlitt’s book.

By: Wirkman Virkkala

Wirkman Virkkala — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:05:43 +0000

Droll. I read parts of Hazlitt’s book, years ago, when I was trying to come to term with Keynes. I am afraid I just skimmed it though. Is that wrong? After your review, I’m beginning to think the answer might be “yes.”What I did find helpful, way back when, were two books by W.H. Hutt: Keynesianism: Retrospect and Prospect, and A Rehabilitation of Say’s Law. That and Sowell’s book on Say’s Law were most enlightening.Now, it’s years later, and I recently began rereading Hutt’s Keynesianism. It really is a good book, and is filled with some great stories, too. His telling of the tale of Sidney Webb and “the pigs” (the union leaders) is, I think, one of the most telling anecdotes about the 20th century.Now, I’ve done something radical. I’ve started reading Say’s original book. I’m trying to work backward, comparing his discussion with later discussions from economists I’ve read previously, such as Destutt de Tracy, Frederic Bastiat, Arthur Latham Perry, and the American Amasa Walkers. I am trying to understand Say’s Law as it was understood by Say’s disciples. It seems much more interesting and profitable than trying to understand, for the umpteenth time, what Keynes made of it (hash).

Comments on: Keynes the Jokester?

By: Sheldon Richman

By: Wirkman Virkkala