Loooong wonky chapter on whether the Plan actually worked as advertised and eulogized, including views of revisionists like Alan Milward. Conclusion: it was politically decisive at a unique and fragile time under unique destabilizing forces, but not economically the driver.
-
-
The book ends with a loooong cast of characters section, text of Marshall Plan and Truman Doctrine speeches, and tons of data and photos. This book really badly wants to be a rich hypertext book.
Show this thread -
So what did I learn of relevance to Post-Covid? I’m tempted to say “nothing.”https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J6VjPM5CeWs …
Show this thread -
We can’t try this in 2020. We lack the statesmen/women capable of drawing the right lessons and using this as meaningful precedent for anything. Post 1989 post-history suggests we learned nothing. The Marshall Plan was a rare, lucky success among schemes of its sort.
Show this thread -
And even then, the loose ends and 1990s aftershocks it created scripted out present mess. The Marshall Plan (intended) and NATO (unintended scope creep) eventually led, via a long causal chain, to Trumpism and even Covid response failure. A key cause can’t be a key to the cure.
Show this thread -
tldr of this live-read: If Covid-recovery needs a Marshall Plan style effort, we’re boned. Seek inspiration elsewhere.
Show this thread -
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.