The Affluent Society

work by Galbraith

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July 23, 2026

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The Affluent Society, published in 1958 by John Kenneth Galbraith, critiques the economic policies of its time. Galbraith argued against the prevailing "conventional wisdom" in American economics, highlighting a significant wealth gap. He advocated for a shift in spending priorities, suggesting less emphasis on consumer goods and a greater investment in public programs and government initiatives.12

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John Kenneth Galbraith
…critique of the wealth gap, The Affluent Society (1958), Galbraith faulted the “conventional wisdom” of American economic policies and called for less spending on consumer goods and more spending on government programs. In The New Industrial State (1967) he envisioned a growing similarity between “managerial” capitalism and socialism and called…
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…critique of the wealth gap, The Affluent Society (1958), Galbraith faulted the “conventional wisdom” of American economic policies and called for less spending on consumer goods and more spending on government programs. In The New Industrial State (1967) he envisioned a growing similarity between “managerial” capitalism and socialism and called…
Read More