Audiobooks by John Maynard Keynes

The Economic Consequences of the Peace Audiobook

'The Economic Consequences of the Peace' is a book written by John Maynard Keynes, a British economist, in 1919. The book was a critique of the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I and imposed harsh economic sanctions on Germany. In the book, Keynes argued that the treaty would have disastrous economic consequences for Germany and for Europe as a whole. He believed that the sanctions would cripple Germany's economy and lead to political instability, which would in turn lead to further economic problems for the rest of Europe. Keynes also criticized the economic policies of the Allied powers, particularly the United States, which he believed were contributing to a global economic depression. He argued that a more cooperative approach to international economics was needed, with countries working together to promote economic growth and stability. 'The Economic Consequences of the Peace' was a highly influential book that helped shape the field of international economics and influenced the development of Keynesian economics. The book's critique of the Treaty of Versailles was widely shared and helped to pave the way for a more conciliatory approach to Germany in the years that followed.

John Maynard Keynes (Author), Ethan Williams (Narrator)

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The Economic Consequences of the Peace

The Economic Consequences of the Peace (1919) was one of the most important documents to come out of World War I - specifically the period of the Armistice and the subsequent settlement negotiations. And, a century on, it remains of particular relevance to our times - an uncompromising and forthright analysis of how international diplomacy can be suffused by personalities, prejudices, personal ambition and outright, uncontrolled feelings of revenge. In 1918, John Maynard Keynes - then still in his mid-30s - represented the British Treasury in Paris at the meetings which would result in the Treaty of Versailles. Highly intelligent, extremely competent and with a perspicacity and diligence which were to make him one of the key economic figures of the 20th century, he was first of all shocked and then appalled by the unseemly behaviour of the Allies' delegates. Georges Clemenceau, the aged French diplomat, and his compatriot Field Marshall Foch were intent on extracting punitive damages from Germany which, as a by-product, would crush it economically and socially. Lloyd George, the British Prime Minister, supported the unrealistic demands for reparation because it would enable him to get reelected with a comfortable majority. President Woodrow Wilson, though full of idealism, proved no match against the wiles of hardened European negotiators. Keynes saw clearly that the reparations the Allies wanted to extract would prove impossible for Germany to meet without placing its population at starvation levels, crushing its industry for decades to come, and sowing the seeds for another round of terrible violence - either through communist revolution as in Russia, or by an upsurge of right-wing nationalism. In the spring of 1919 Keynes left Paris, returning to England to write this damning account of what happens when older and entrenched politicians pursue their own ends. With a considerable amount of detail, Keynes matches the undeniable war damage on one side and the inability of Germany, stripped of its monarchy, its merchant fleet, its colonies and important coal mines, to pay $30 billion in reparations, with the sword of Damocles of compound interesting hanging over late payments. Keynes' measured logic cannot wholly disguise a deeply felt European passion as old men, still mired in nationalistic protectionism, concluded a treaty that led, ineluctably, towards another world war, as Keynes predicted. The Economic Consequence of the Peace is required listening in the 21st century. Jonathan Keeble brilliantly relays Keynes' concerns.

John Maynard Keynes (Author), Jonathan Keeble (Narrator)

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The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money

Keynes' The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money remains, approaching a century after it first appeared, one of the most important documents on economics, along with Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations and Karl Marx's Capital. Hugely important for much of the 20th century, the General Theory was seemingly overtaken by monetarists but won a new, enduring respect among a new generation of economists and politicians following the financial difficulties which began in 2007-8. John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946) promoted a middle way between the Marxist approach of total governmental control and those committed to, essentially, allowing markets to operate largely free of restraints. He saw the need for central intervention, especially at times of crisis, but always acknowledged the importance and the contribution of individual enterprise within a free market system. First published in 1936, Keynes' ideas had evolved during the difficulties following World War I in Europe, and the US crash and the Depression of the 1920s-'30s and the misery of mass unemployment. He deplored the situation where a few individuals or companies stored massive wealth while vast numbers experienced poverty and insecurity (his alarm bells ring today!) and sought to promote initiatives where governments could intervene with social projects to keep money fluctuating. The General Theory is a stimulating and challenging work. Keynes presents his case with minimum jargon and admirable clarity. He does use formulae to support and clarify his case, and in some cases these have been included in the narrative in a manner which can be absorbed. Introduction by Mark G Spencer.

John Maynard Keynes (Author), Jonathan Keeble (Narrator)

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Economic Consequences of the Peace

John Maynard Keynes died in 1946, but his name is still one to conjure with in economics and politics worldwide. Although his contributions to economic theory established and maintain his fame, he also--particularly at the time in his life when he wrote the present book, Economic Consequences of the Peace--showed a flair for practical political work on the basis of economics in his work with the Royal Commission on Indian Currency and Finance. At the outbreak of World War I, he began working with the British Treasury|in January 1915 he took up an official position there. At the end of the war he was appointed as the British Treasury's representative to the Versailles Peace Conference. His experiences at the Conference formed the basis of this book. In short, he was so disgusted with the resulting treaty that he resigned his post. This is not a theoretical text. It is a data-driven study of the consequences that must follow if the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles were put into full effect. To the extent that they were|Keynes was largely proven right|to the extent that they were ignored, delayed, or abrogated altogether, Keynes was also proven right: such measures were never put in practice because they were impossible. Beyond pratical economics and politics, his book is also a clear call for intelligent magnanimity in politics, both in peace and in war. His vision is of a world at peace in which the prosperity of each nation contributes to the prosperity of all people. He clearly demonstrates the practical working of that vision in his analysis of the disasters that would happen if the effort to rebuild war-torn Europe proceeded on a punitive basis versus the positive results of proceeding on a basis not of enmity, but of equity. In order to avoid forcing the reader to listen to long recitations of numeric tables, there are small abridgements at a few points in the book. However, no substantial text has been removed and Keynes' arguments and methods of analysis remain intact. This is economics|there are some places where the numerical facts get a little dense, but Keynes succeeds in keeping his argument clear even when the going gets heavy. Enjoy! A Freshwater Seas production.

John Maynard Keynes (Author), Robert Bethune (Narrator)

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The Economic Consequences of the Peace

The Economic Consequences of the Peace (1919) was a best seller throughout the world, published by John Maynard Keynes. Keynes attended the Versailles Conference as a delegate of the British Treasury and argued for a much more generous peace with Germany. The book was critical in establishing a general worldwide opinion that the Versailles Treaty was a brutal and unfair peace towards Germany. It helped to consolidate American public opinion against the treaty and involvement in the League of Nations. The perception by much of the British public that Germany had been treated unfairly in turn was a crucial factor in public support for appeasement. The success of the book established Keynes' reputation as a leading economist especially on the left. (Summary by Graham McMillan)

John Maynard Keynes (Author), Graham McMillan (Narrator)

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