populism

[Michael Perelman]

Max, of course, public utilities and railroads were considered prime examples
of unfair markets.  So were banks, thus the concern with monetary policy.
With a "fair" monetary policy and regulation of monopolies, markets could
work just fine.  Much of that thinking continues with agrarian organizations,
such as the National Farmers Union -- although I have been out of touch with
them for more than 20 years.

Max Sawicky wrote:


> Perelman said:
> Doug, in a sense, Adam Smith is the father of populism -- although it
> dates back much further than him.  What galls them is the "unfairness" of
> particular markets.  They look to the "fair" markets of perfect
> competition.
>
> mbs:  predatory business behavior is definitely a preoccupation
> of progressive populism.  But the old movement was not so in
> love with markets that it precluded a much more important role
> for government in monetary policy and public utilities.
>
> >From the Ocala platform:

--

Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
michael at ecst.csuchico.edu
Chico, CA 95929
530-898-5321
fax 530-898-5901