Sheldon Richman on Why World War II Spending Did Not End the Great Depression
Conveniently for most politicians, writes Sheldon Richman, a popular doctrine holds that government spending is good for the economy. According to this doctrine, when the economy needs to recover from a recession or even a slowdown, an increase in government spending is indispensable—even if huge budget deficits and a growing national debt result. Keep spending! is the battle cry.
The advocates of spending think they have a killer piece of evidence: World War II.
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