John Maynard Keynes: Capitalism Nastiest
on Sunday, December 17, 2017John Maynard Keynes Money Quote saying Economic policy is swayed by the wealthiest people with intentions that benefit themselves and others who have similar goals with no regard for the general welfare. John Maynard Keynes said:
“Capitalism is the extraordinary belief that the nastiest of men with the nastiest of motives will somehow work for the benefit of all” — John Maynard Keynes
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In this quote, John Maynard Keynes is critically commenting on capitalism. He characterizes the core belief of capitalism as the idea that self-interested, even “nasty” individuals primarily motivated by their own selfish gains will ultimately benefit society as a whole through their actions.
Keynes seems to view this as an “extraordinary belief” since it relies on the assumption that private vices can become public virtues through the invisible hand of the market. The quote suggests Keynes was skeptical that purely profit-driven behavior, without regard for broader social impacts, would necessarily lead to outcomes that improve conditions for all.
He implies capitalism puts too much faith in the system’s ability to channel individual greed and narrow motives towards the common good.
Birthday: June 5, 1883 – Death: April 21, 1946