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Robert Lekachman

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Robert Lekachman (1920 – 14 January 1989) was an economist known for his extensive advocacy of state intervention, and for a debating style characterized by slow, sing-song speech and circumlocution.

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).

[edit] Books by Lekachman

Capitalism for beginners.
The Age of Keynes.
Greed Is Not Enough Reaganomics.
Economists at bay : why the experts will never agree.
Inflation: the permanent problem of boom and bust.
A history of economic ideas.
Visions and nightmares : America after Reagan.
National income and the public welfare.
Keynes and the classics.
Keynes's General Theory: Reports of Three Decades.

[edit] References

Fowler, Glenn; “Robert Lekachman Is Dead at 68; Teacher and Writer of Economics”, the New York Times, 16 January, 1989.

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Robert Lekachman Is Dead at 68; Teacher and Writer of Economics

Robert Lekachman, a teacher of economics whose maverick views often set him apart from mainstream economists, died of cancer of the liver Saturday at his home in Manhattan. He was 68 years old.

Dr. Lekachman, who wrote and lectured extensively, held the rank of distinguished professor at Lehman College of the City University of New York, where he had been on the faculty since 1973, and at the university's Graduate Center.

Earlier Dr. Lekachman had taught at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, L.I., and headed its Department of Economics from 1965 to 1968. Before that he was on the faculty of Barnard College, Columbia College and the Columbia School of Business.

Joseph S. Murphy, Chancellor of City University, said yesterday that Dr. Lekachman's ''legacy of intellectually rigorous analysis of the economy and the effects of government policy on the poor and working class should strongly influence the way scholars study economics in the future.'' Sought Social Justice

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.

''He brought a liberal, left-wing, Marxist point of view to economics, but he was in no sense an ideologue,'' said Harold M. Proshansky, president of City University's Graduate Center. ''He never argued in generalities, and his openness and objectivity captivated even those who disagreed with his basic positions.''

Dr. Lekachman was in demand as a public speaker, appearing frequently on television and radio programs dealing with public affairs, where his engaging manner and quick wit enlivened what has been called ''the dismal science'' of economics.

Dr. Leonard Lief, president of Lehman College, noted that Dr. Lekachman ''identified strongly with New York City and particularly with the Bronx, where he taught.'' Critical of President Reagan

Because of his illness, which was in remission until several months ago, Dr. Lekachman had taken a leave of absence for the fall semester but had recently asked to be scheduled for classes, his health permitting, in the spring semester.