Saturday, July 11, 2026

the A-Score rating for Keynesianism

 Here’s an A‑Score for “mainstream Keynesianism” (countercyclical fiscal + activist monetary policy + automatic stabilizers as practiced in advanced mixed economies):

A‑Score: 51/100 → Mixed / Problematic. This reflects SPOTM’s emphasis on high individualism, reason, freedom, and rational egoism; Keynesianism’s reliance on centralized demand management and fiscal-monetary discretion drags the score down despite its analytic, evidence-based pedigree. (manypossibilities1.blogspot.com)

Sub‑scores (0–100) and rationale

  • Aligned/Misaligned: 52. Uses models and data to address recessions, but tends toward short‑termism, politicization, and distortion of price signals via coercive demand management. (manypossibilities1.blogspot.com)
  • Individualism/Collectivism: 40. Leans on aggregate targets and centralized discretion rather than decentralized, voluntary coordination. (manypossibilities1.blogspot.com)
  • Reason/Emotion: 65. A rigorous, academic tradition; policy narratives sometimes lean on “animal spirits” and political optics. (imf.org)
  • Freedom/Statism: 42. Expands the fiscal state and empowers central banks to steer macro outcomes, increasing coercive reach over time. (manypossibilities1.blogspot.com)
  • Rational Egoism/Compelled Altruism: 50. Mixes voluntary exchange with compulsory transfers/subsidies; can entrench moral hazard and rent‑seeking. (manypossibilities1.blogspot.com)

Computation (SPOTM A‑Score weights)
A = 0.35×52 + 0.20×40 + 0.20×65 + 0.15×42 + 0.10×50
= 18.2 + 8.0 + 13.0 + 6.3 + 5.0 = 50.5 ≈ 51. The weights and interpretation bands come from the SPOTM A‑Score template. (manypossibilities1.blogspot.com)

Notes and variants

  • Constrained, rules‑based Keynesianism (temporary, debt‑neutral over the cycle, strong automatic stabilizers, clear sunsets): typically 55–60.
  • Discretionary, prolonged stimulus/industrial‑policy Keynesianism (persistent deficits, politicized credit): typically 35–45.
    These shifts reflect SPOTM’s ideals of high individualism and freedom with reason-led policy. (manypossibilities1.blogspot.com)

Scope check
By “Keynesianism” here I mean the mainstream policy mix that justifies countercyclical fiscal/monetary intervention to stabilize output and employment; see IMF’s overview and New Keynesian summaries for context. (imf.org)

Learn more


Learn more:

  1. many possibilities blog: The (A-score) tool for evaluating policies/programs
  2. What Is Keynesian Economics? - Back to Basics Compilation Book - IMF Finance & Development magazine
  3. many possibilities blog: SPOTM
  4. New Keynesian Economics - Econlib

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the A-Score rating for Keynesianism

 Here’s an A‑Score for “mainstream Keynesianism” (countercyclical fiscal + activist monetary policy + automatic stabilizers as practiced in ...