> In most messianic-apocalyptic visions the the coming of the messiah is
> necessarily preceded by mass suffering as in the idea that the building
> of the New Jerusalem must be preceded by mass absolute immiserization.
> This has an uncanny likeness to sadomonetarism: short run pain for long
> run gain; if it isn't hurting, it isn't working; etc. etc. In was
> partly in response to this kind of "purposiveness" that Keynes made the
> quip: "_In the long run_, we are all dead!"
This is an old chestnut; those antagonistic to (orthodox/classical) historical materialist theories of history posit a _superficial_ resemblance to "messianic-apocalyptic visions" and "sadomonetarism". This kind of slur does not, however, disprove historical materialist theories of history.
IMO the events of (say) 1930-2000, throughout the developed world and beyond, present strong evidence that the ruling class will only institute/permit "humane" forms of capitalism to exist when there are serious threats to accumulation/reproduction itself, e.g. the existence of strong non-market systems and serious worldwide depression.
And, to revert to my original point, the mainstream 20th C left development theories have been disastrous, virtually without exception, when applied to _developing_ countries. And the likes of Malaysia and Kenya (e.g.) have _not_ out-performed most of their neighbours -- in terms of economic growth or the quality of life -- through "socialist" or "liberal" policies. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Regards,
Grant.