Gene, classical political economy is full of such citations about high food
price, Adam Smith included. I have dozens of examples in my new book, The
Invention of Capitalism. Smith thought that high prices would help to teach
people frugalitity. Petty, Hume, Steuart all advocated high prices.
Also a lurker wrote:
Your subscriber Eugene Coyle may be interested in Keynes' praising of
famines and pestilence in India on Malthusian-Darwinian grounds. John Toye
has uncovered and analyzed these quotes in Keynes on Population. Mike
Davis' latest book on the horrifying famines of the late 19th century surely
has some important analysis in it as well.
Yours, Jan Carowan
Eugene Coyle wrote:
>
> Nassau Senior said some unpleasant things about the Irish people but
> I haven't found anything directly on point by him or another economist,
> where charging very high prices for subsistence food is good for you.
> Senior said something like it would not be enough if only 1 million
> died.
>
> It seems that there must be something I can use -- a la Larry
> Summers dumping pollution on the lower races --- but I'm looking for
> pricing statements.
>
> Anyway, I've found nothing concise and on target on that British
> imperial genocide. I can get to a decent library if there is a
> document/book to look up.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Gene Coyle
--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
