Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

John Maynard Keynes

2007-10-18T16:12:24Z

JohnM:

'''John Maynard Keynes''' (5 June 1883 - 21 April 1946) was a leftist[[United Kingdom|British]] economist. His ideas were highly influential leading to him generally being credited as being one of the founding fathers of modern theoretical [[macroeconomics]]. Breaking with the [[Neo-classical Economics|neoclassical]] orthodoxy of his era, Keynes argued that macroeconomic relationships differ from their [[Microeconomics|microeconomic]] counterparts. He went on to advocate government intervention into markets and proposed a demand-driven model for money. His theories formed the basis of what came to be known as [[Keynesian economics]].

==Biography==

Keynes was born in [[Cambridge]], and went on to attend [[Eton College]] where he displayed an aptitude in a number of subjects, notably [[mathematics]], [[classics]], and [[history]]. In 1902 he entered [[King's College, Cambridge]] to read for a degree in mathematics, however, due to his interest in politics he found himself increasingly drawn toward economics. It was at Cambridge that he found himself under the tutelage of [[Alfred Marshall]] and [[A.C. Pigou]]. Keynes accepted an economics lectureship at Cambridge funded personally by Marshall. Soon thereafter he took a leave of absence to work for the British Treasury, an institution in which his expertise was frequently called upon during the [[First World War]]. Indeed, at the end of the war, Keynes was selected to be the Treasury's principal representative at the [[Paris Peace Conference]] of 1919. The subsequent [[Treaty of Versailles]] precipitated Keynes' resignation from the Treasury, as he felt it was draconian in its treatment of Germany.

He returned to Cambridge and resumed teaching, however, the publication of ''The Economic Consequences of Peace'' in 1920, elevated him to a new level of fame. He furthered these ideas in 1922's ''A Revision of the Treaty'', in which he argued that the reparations that Germany was being forced to pay would lead to the collapse of the German economy. In 1923, the German economy entered a period of [[hyperinflation]], in the eyes of many validating Keynes' critique. As the decade progressed, Keynes found himself becoming increasingly involved in the political process. First supporting the [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Party's]] 1929 Election Manifesto, and later as an advisor to [[Ramsay MacDonald]]'s [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] government.

Keynes' ''magnum opus'', however, would not come until 1936 with the publication of ''The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money''. Largely a reaction to the high unemployment that had characterised post-war Britain, the book is widely seen as being among the most revolutionary works of modern economics, signalling a paradigm shift within modern economic thought. As the era went on his prestige and celebrity grew, in 1942 he was made a lord, and was Britain's representative at the 1944 [[Bretton Woods Conference]]. He died of [[myocardial infarction]] (heart attack) in 1946.

==Keynesian Economics==

Keynesianism centres around the concept of total spending within an economy, what Keynes terms [[aggregate demand]] and its effect upon output and inflation. In the eyes of Keynesians, the [[free market]] does not necessarily tend toward [[full employment]]. Periods such as this were witnessed in the 1930's during the [[Great Depression]], and in the eyes of Keynes could only be solved by increasing the level of expenditure within the economy. In order to do this Keynes advocated increasing government expenditure, frequently in the form of deficit spending, in order to extricate the economy from recession. At the same time Keynes argued that if expenditure within the economy was too high and the economy was at full employment then this would inevitably lead to inflation, as such in periods such as this Keynes advocated tax increases, and a reduction in government expenditure in order to "deflate" the economy.

As is evident, Keynesian thinking went on to influence the fiscal policy of many governments, as well as influencing a generation of economists. That being said, Keynes was not without his critics, most notably [[Friedrich von Hayek]], whose critiques of Keynesian theory went on to form the basis of the [[Supply-side economics|Supply-side]], [[Monetarism|monetarist]], and [[Austrian School|Austrian School's]] objections to Keynesianism.

==External Links==
*[http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/bios/Keynes.html John Maynard Keynes Biography] from ''The Concise Encyclopedia of Economics''
*[http://www.econlib.org/library/YPDBooks/Keynes/kynsCP.html J.M. Keynes, ''The Economic Consequences of Peace'']
*[http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/economics/keynes/general-theory/ J.M. Keynes ''The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money'']

{{DEFAULTSORT: Keynes, John Maynard}}
[[Category: Economists]]

Bill Casey (Canadian politician)

2007-10-18T16:08:40Z

JohnM:

Bill Casey is a [[Canadian]] [[Conservative]] Politician who was kicked out of the [[Stephen Harper]] government for supporting his constituents and not the government's agenda. When Harper planned on taking money away from [[Nova Scotia]], Casey opposed it and was subsequently kicked out of the [[Conservative Party]]. People from all three parties ([[Liberal]], [[Conservative]], [[NDP]]) have praised Casey's courage in standing up to Harper.

Eventually, [[Rodney MacDonald]], the Premier of [[Nova Scotia]] finally mustered up the courage to stand up to Harper. He didn't demand from Harper what Casey did but instead asked for it. Feeling the pressure from an upcoming [[election]], Harper finally relented and gave MacDonald what his province and Bill Casey originally asked for but he told Mr. Casey he was not welcome back in the Conservative caucaus. Despite being kicked out of the party by Harper, Casey is still supported my many [[Conservative]]s as well as [[Liberal]]s and even some New Democrats. In standing up for his constituients he has demonstrated to members of all parties that he is an honest and decent man who keeps his promises.

==External Link==
*http://www.billcasey.ca/

{{DEFAULTSORT:Casey, Bill}}

[[category:Canada]]
[[category:politicians]]

Liberation Theology

2007-10-18T16:06:44Z

JohnM:

Liberation Theology broadly defined, is a type of Christian theology which focuses on the interpretation of Jesus Christ as a spiritual revolutionary figure. This view rejects the traditional practice of servitude to the state and religious institutional hierarchy, preferring to view faith as a catalyst of revolution and empowerment,as well as justification of rebellion against secular as well as seminal hierarchy.

Liberation Theology was influential in the [[Roman Catholic]] church in [[Latin America]] during the 1970s and 80s but was criticized by Pope [[John Paul II]]. John Paul sympathized with those who wanted freedom from secular military dictators but stated that Liberation Theology was only partially compatible with church teachings because of its connections to materialism and Marxism.

[[category:christianity]]
[[category:politics]]

Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation

2007-10-18T16:03:52Z

JohnM:

{{expand}}
The '''Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation''' is a United States Defense Department training facility at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. It is the successor of the School of the Americas (SOA), and is used to train Latin American military and law-enforcement personnel.

The School has been accused of teaching torture techniques. And, according to various UN commisions, its graduates include some of the worst human rights violators in the western hemisphere, Hugo Banzer for example, who were trained at US taxpayer's expense. In response to this, a human rights program is taught at the school, but its history has earned it the derogatory nick-name of "School of the Assassins".

==Links==
[http://www.ciponline.org/facts/soa.htm Center for International Policy]

[[category:United States Department of Defense]]

Augusto Pinochet

2007-10-18T16:03:32Z

JohnM:

[[Image:342px-Pinochet de Civil.jpg|right|thumb|Augusto Pinochet]]
General '''Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte''' (1915–2006) was a [[Chile]]an [[soldier]] and later a repressive [[military]] [[dictator]] who served as Chile's head of state from 1973 to 1990. He came to power as a member of a council of military leaders after the overthrew of the government of President [[Salvador Allende]] on 11 September 1973. Allende, a [[Marx]]ist, had gained power after getting a 36% plurality of the popular vote in 1970, but he had been accused of violating the Chilean constitution and condemned for his conduct by the Chilean legislature and by civil society organizations.

General Pinochet headed a military government for 16 years (1974-1990) as he fought and defeated [[communist]] opponents in Chile. Pinochet was at one time a military subordinate of [[Salvador Allende]]. After the [[coup]], Pinochet saw support from [[America]].

General Pinochet instituted free market reforms in Chile in the 1970s that resulted in lower [[inflation]] and an economic boom from 1976 to 1979. Unfortuantly only a small percentage of Chilean citizens were able to enjoy this newfound economic growth. He held a [[plebiscite]] on his rule and 75% of the people affirmed their support for him. However, the plebiscite is widely regarded as fraudulent. The Pinochet government was one of the most repressive in the Americas. During his time in power over 3,000 people were killed or vanished.<ref>BBC profile http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6167237.stm</ref> This includes Marxist revolutionaries but also included innocent human rights activists. In addition, over a quarter million Chileans were arrested. Universities were purged, books burned, and rival political parties banned. Thousands fled the country out of fear of the [[secret police]], which routinely tortured citizens.<ref>Augusto Pinochet Biography http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/pinochet.html</ref>

A new constitution was adopted in Chile in 1981, which authorized General Pinochet to serve as president for another eight-year term, to be followed by a plebiscite on his presidency.

Pinochet moved Chile into a market economy, privatizing many government businesses, and opening the country to foreign investment. The stability that his government gave encouraged foreign investors to come to Chile. He also started one of the first [[private pension accounts]] pension systems in the world..

President Pinochet held another plebiscite in October 1988 on the issue of whether he should continue as president. He was defeated by a vote of 55-43%, and subsequent free elections were won by the [[Christian]] Democrat Patricio Aylwin, who was installed as president on March 11, 1990.

General Pinochet was a graduate of the [[School of the Americas]] at Ft. Benning, [[Georgia]].

Pinochet died of a heart attack on December 10, 2006.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/world/americas/10cnd-pinochet-timeline.html?ex=1174449600&en=7b24f9d3e63ff60a&ei=5070 NYTimes</ref>

In 1998, Pinochet was arrested in [[London]] pursuant to a warrant issued in [[Spain]] for [[human rights]] violations during his time as Chilean president. Pinochet was subsequently returned to Chile on grounds of ill health, where he was indicted and charged with [[kidnapping]] 19 supporters of Salvador Allende during the 1973 coup in which Pinochet took power. The Chilean [[Supreme Court]] suspended the prosecution in July 2002 due to Pinochet's continuing poor health. [1]

== References ==
<references />

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pinochet, Augusto}}
[[Category:Heads of state]]
[[Category:Dictators]]

Augusto Pinochet

2007-10-18T16:02:48Z

JohnM:

[[Image:342px-Pinochet de Civil.jpg|right|thumb|Augusto Pinochet]]
General '''Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte''' (1915–2006) was a Chilean soldier and later a repressive military dictator who served as Chile's head of state from 1973 to 1990. He came to power as a member of a council of military leaders after the overthrew of the government of President [[Salvador Allende]] on 11 September 1973. Allende, a Marxist, had gained power after getting a 36% plurality of the popular vote in 1970, but he had been accused of violating the Chilean constitution and condemned for his conduct by the Chilean legislature and by civil society organizations.

General Pinochet headed a military government for 16 years (1974-1990) as he fought and defeated [[communist]] opponents in Chile. Pinochet was at one time a military subordinate of [[Salvador Allende]]. After the [[coup]], Pinochet saw support from [[America]].

General Pinochet instituted free market reforms in Chile in the 1970s that resulted in lower [[inflation]] and an economic boom from 1976 to 1979. Unfortuantly only a small percentage of Chilean citizens were able to enjoy this newfound economic growth. He held a [[plebiscite]] on his rule and 75% of the people affirmed their support for him. However, the plebiscite is widely regarded as fraudulent. The Pinochet government was one of the most repressive in the Americas. During his time in power over 3,000 people were killed or vanished.<ref>BBC profile http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6167237.stm</ref> This includes Marxist revolutionaries but also included innocent human rights activists. In addition, over a quarter million Chileans were arrested. Universities were purged, books burned, and rival political parties banned. Thousands fled the country out of fear of the [[secret police]], which routinely tortured citizens.<ref>Augusto Pinochet Biography http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/pinochet.html</ref>

A new constitution was adopted in Chile in 1981, which authorized General Pinochet to serve as president for another eight-year term, to be followed by a plebiscite on his presidency.

Pinochet moved Chile into a market economy, privatizing many government businesses, and opening the country to foreign investment. The stability that his government gave encouraged foreign investors to come to Chile. He also started one of the first [[private pension accounts]] pension systems in the world..

President Pinochet held another plebiscite in October 1988 on the issue of whether he should continue as president. He was defeated by a vote of 55-43%, and subsequent free elections were won by the [[Christian]] Democrat Patricio Aylwin, who was installed as president on March 11, 1990.

General Pinochet was a graduate of the [[School of the Americas]] at Ft. Benning, [[Georgia]].

Pinochet died of a heart attack on December 10, 2006.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/world/americas/10cnd-pinochet-timeline.html?ex=1174449600&en=7b24f9d3e63ff60a&ei=5070 NYTimes</ref>

In 1998, Pinochet was arrested in [[London]] pursuant to a warrant issued in [[Spain]] for [[human rights]] violations during his time as Chilean president. Pinochet was subsequently returned to Chile on grounds of ill health, where he was indicted and charged with [[kidnapping]] 19 supporters of Salvador Allende during the 1973 coup in which Pinochet took power. The Chilean [[Supreme Court]] suspended the prosecution in July 2002 due to Pinochet's continuing poor health. [1]

== References ==
<references />

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pinochet, Augusto}}
[[Category:Heads of state]]
[[Category:Dictators]]