Up until now, the only name for our favored economic model we liberals had was "demand-side" or "Keynesian" economics, which really doesn't have the cachet of even "trickle-down economics". At least that name supplied a mental picture, albeit a false one--people thought they knew what it was all about.
And what the middle class thought was that trickle-down economics would benefit them. It was never about altruism toward the rich (yechh) or adherence to some abstract philosophy of "social darwinism" (double yechh). Trickle-down promised a widespread benefit, to appeal to the self-interest of a large number of people.
Now that we live in an age in which the rising tide is visibly swamping most of the boats, I think there's fertile ground for a straightforward meme like "middle-out". It appeals to the self-interest of a broad swath of society, backed up by a clear and undeniable mechanism to explain why it works. I'd never heard the term until I read your linked overview, Rob, but it was instantly clear and intuitive. I've bookmarked the symposium proceedings for reading as time permits.
It helps that "middle-out" economic policies have been tested and proven to work, long before the name came along. They're the policies that created America's first great middle class, and maybe if we return to what works, American can have a second great middle class.
Rob, once again you're demonstrating an open mind. Nothing could be sweeter than reading Tom's "Aw, Rob...".
Current Events » in reply to "Middle-out" Economics.
Names matter
The whole thread (51 posts)
- Okay, I would like to start a thread and I would really like it to stay on topic, if at all possible.
- "Middle-out" Economics.
- Simple, Right to Work Laws
- You might have better luck on Current Events
- Unions, collective bargaining, and the right to strike.
- Yeah, I think we all owe a debt to unions.
- I don't think that is realistic anymore, ER.