"The Array"  [Reflections On Book  The Canadian Economy Series  B-10]

A huge assistance came to me at last,
As Hotson gave “array” as way to cast
The thinkers on the world’s economy –
A dial with needle sweeping – now I see.

He said each line splays out from center pin
Like wagon wheel – or half – where it begins;
Put lesser lights out farther, keep the key
For each persuasion central, then you’ll see.

The basis for the sort-out was one thing –
“When things go south, does intervention bring
Relief, when it’s the government involved?”
Three thinkers at the hub, and problem’s solved.

With Marx on left of dial – “Yes, bring them in”;
On right there’s Smith – says, “No, don’t touch a thing”;
In center there is Keynes, a mix of sorts,
With lines between these thinkers (each with warts).

He says that Western thinkers splay on right
Twixt Keynes and Smith – each with some ray of light,
And Samuelson at midpoint with his text
Which most have used to learn, “My way is best”.

He says few follow Keynes just as he is;
And West sees Marx too radical for biz;
While right, as pure, won’t get you hired at all
(Advice, “Do nothing”, takes no time to call!)

Says Hitler solved the problem thirties brought
With massive war which wiped out what we got;
That lasted thirty years then ran its course;
Is war how we resolve as things get worse?

Lord, thanks for this quick guide to writers’ ways,
Which puts each on display in its arrays;
So helpful that – the detail’s no concern
To me, as larger scene I’m trying to learn.

Thanks Lord for this.

navigation