Introduction to The Parable of the Water Tank

While you would probably find this approximately
4 page story enjoyable without any introduction,
I think that you will appreciate its significance more
with a short (4 point) introduction.

1st. point: This story was published in 1897 as part of the book Equality, by Edward Bellamy.
2nd. point: The only economic depression most people are aware of is the "great depression" and it happened in 1929. However, there were many earlier economic depressions. One very large crisis occurred in 1893, four years prior to the publication of Bellamy's book .

3rd. point: During the "great depression" many economists gave different explanations of the cause of the depression. Some common ones were; that, it was caused by "overproduction", "lack of confidence", and even"Sun Spots".

4th. point: John Maynard Keynes (Keynesian economics) is famous for "discovering" the causes and possible solutions to periodic economic crises such as depressions. He explained his theory in "The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money" published in 1936. His major point was that a lack of demand by consumers can cause or sustain an economic crisis.

NOW ENJOY -
The Humor, Prophesy, and Keynesian Economics of