Robert Lekachman

Robert Lekachman (May 12, 1920^[1] – January 14, 1989)^[2] was an economist known for his extensive advocacy of state intervention.

He received both his A.B. and Ph.D. from Columbia University.^[1]

Lekachman was also noted for an interpretation of Keynes's General Theory that made central its rejection of Say's Law (in favor of Walras' law). Lekachman identified as a socialist.^[3]

In his obituary, the New York Times wrote: "Throughout his career Dr. Lekachman espoused a philosophy that sought to promote social justice simultaneously with economic growth. He advocated compassion on the part of government toward the underprivileged. His last published work, which appeared last week in The Nation magazine, was a cautionary article of advice to President-elect George Bush."^[4]

He died at his Manhattan home of liver cancer, survived by his wife Eva, who donated his papers in 1995.

Lekachman's signature

Selected publications

• National Policy for Economic Welfare at Home and Abroad. 1955. Doubleday.
• A History of Economic Ideas. 1959. Harper.
• The varieties of economics. 1962. Cleveland: World Pub Co.
• Keynes and the classics. 1964. Heath.
• Keynes's General Theory: Reports of Three Decades. 1964. St. Martin's Press.
• The Age of Keynes. 1966. New York: Vintage Books.
• National income and the public welfare. 1972. New York: Random House. ISBN 039431087X
• Public service employment: jobs for all. 1972.
• Inflation: the permanent problem of boom and bust. 1973. New York: Vintage Books. ISBN 0394489683
• Economists at Bay : why the experts will never solve your problems. 1977. McGraw-Hill.
• The great Tax debate.
• Capitalism for Beginners. 1981. Pantheon
• Greed Is Not Enough: Reaganomics. 1982. Pantheon.
• Visions and Nightmares : America after Reagan. 1987. Macmillan.

References