On Apr 3, 2009, at 9:21 AM, Doug Henwood wrote:
>
> On Apr 3, 2009, at 9:10 AM, Eubulides quoted Alan Freeman:
>
>> In about 1965, a long slowdown set in
>
> Compared to what?
"Since world war II there have been two quite distinct phases of world growth."
> The 1930s? Growth averaged 2.7% from 1930-1940. The average U.S.
> growth rate in the 1910s was 1.4%; in the 1920s, 2.9%. From 1900-65,
> it averaged 3.5%; from 1965-2008, 3.1%. For the high neoliberal era,
> 1982-2008, it averaged 3.2%. Growth has slowed since 2000, yes -
> average 2000-2008, 2.2%. But really. If the long slowdown began more
> than 40 years ago, this is really a silly periodization.
These comparisons are irrelevant, since the relevant period was specified as 1945-1965. Moreover, recent US "growth" statistics are drastically distorted upward by the inclusion of the "FIRE" sector as part of real GDP.
Shane Mage
> This cosmos did none of gods or men make, but it
> always was and is and shall be: an everlasting fire,
> kindling in measures and going out in measures."
>
> Herakleitos of Ephesos