Draft:Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren Book by John Maynard Keyne

John Maynard Keynes emerged as one of the most influential economic thinkers of the 20th century. Unlike Marx, Keynes was not deeply concerned with alienation and did not explicitly use the term in his writings. While Keynes was pro-business and viewed capitalism as essential for economic growth, he acknowledged that it created economic insecurity and dissatisfaction, which could alienate workers, yet he believed this was only a temporary problem. In his book the Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren (1930), he envisioned a future where society would become so wealthy that the pursuit of money for its own sake would become irrelevant, effectively eliminating alienation. He believed that continuous economic growth would eventually reduce the need for excessive labor and alleviate extreme inequality, allowing people to pursue more fulfilling lives. While Keynes' optimistic vision has not fully materialized, global wealth has grown significantly since his time. Yet, alienation remains a pressing issue, especially during periods of rising inequality, suggesting that economic growth alone may not be enough to eliminate the problem.

References

Kishtainy, N. (2018). A Little History of Economics. United Kingdom: Yale University Press.