Mandel and Keynes

[Mathew Forstater]

Jeffrey- Yes, I didn't think you were advocating subsidies.  My point was that
the argument could be turned around on those who advocate it in the name of a
"market approach."  Of course I was also arguing that such competition could be
good, if it in a sense sets a benchmark that the private sector has to meet (and
that benchmark pushes up wage/benefit/other job characteristics and employment
conditions from the bottom).  Of course, this doesn't have to be done by
guaranteed State jobs program, it could be done by jacking up the minimum wage,
legislating health and other benefit standards, etc., but the public sector job
approach may accomplish it differently and may have other benefits. Mat

Jeffrey Levin wrote:


>
> Just to clarify, I'm not advocating subsidies over public works programs,
> I'm suggesting that in the current climate public works programs are off the
> map (early in the Clinton administration it looked like maybe something
> might be forthcoming, but that was eons ago).