Customer Reviews

PSEUDO-CAPITALISM

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Thanks Dr. Bindman for this brilliant book.

In a world where an economic meltdown has happened because society at all levels became infected with false beliefs regarding the nature of economic reality, Dr. Bindman;s book PSEUDO CAPITALISM is a most welcome arrival.

Having graduated in Economics from a reputable school of economics myself, I am aware that the primary sources of this infection are the theories perpetuated by "neoclassical" or "mainstream" textbooks long used in introductory economics courses in universities throughout the world. In his very readable book, Bindman has brilliantly highlighted that the mass mis-education by which these theories deprived academic clubrooms of any hint of reality back in the seventies, finally festered into a fungus that choked society of the moral and intellectual capacities it needed in order to maintain the support systems required by our modern market economy..

The beauty of this book is that it uses the author's unique background as a professional analyst in psychology and economics to highlight the stages by which our modern market economy outstripped the financial profession's understanding of what was happening. With unerring accuracy and almost journalistic flair, Dr. Bindman points out the turning points in the saga. It certainly reads as good as any whodunnit I have read..

The author does not maintain the existence of a creator or creative force responsible for the appearance of our dire economic circumstances, and so he does not assign labels to any party. This is one reason why I feel the book invites each reader to experience a vision of their own. Neither does Dr. Bindman pursue the knowledge contained in this book through beliefs founded on reasons. Instead he uses active inquiry in a way that almost entices one to look around at the world for oneself and find that, almost without knowing it, one has been given the lenses through which a Brave New World can be clearly seen without any need for a guide!

While it is not my own view, I can imagine the likes of N. Gregory Mankiw rushing to characterize this book as a form of Orwellian mysticism. I think that Dr. Bindman's vision of current economics cannot be affected by such characterizations. Pseudo Capitalism neatly sidesteps the trap of taking sides with any school of theorists. Dr. Bindman does this intellectual footwork by stating very clearly that his goal is to provide his readers with a simple tool to make their own inquiry into current economic conditions and not to enlist him or her for any particular side or ideology..

We all know that it is up to each individual to see through the campaign of disinformation which led to the current economic meltdown. More economic catastrophes will befall us and our children if we do not demand that this deception ends now. The question is how do we make that demand?. Dr. Bindman has provided a clearly written, easy to understand script for the ordinary person to play their own part in getting the needed reforms underway. and shows when, where and how to act that part.

In "Pseudo-Capitalism," Dr. Bindman puts into plain words the deceit of the phrase "American Free Market." Using widely available news sources and recognized books on economics, Bindman clearly illustrates how the American "Free Market" has for decades acutally breen carefully regulated by means of manipulating interest rates, military spending, and other governmental interventions. With equal clarity he illustrates how American "Capitalism" has become disconnected from its shareholders as interlocking boards of directors exchange favors without having to answer to a combination indifferent investment fund managers, whose only interest is in short term gain. After reading this I can never again view my American "Free Market" or capitalism itself in the same way. This in an eye-opener, clearly written -- an easy read about significant difficulties with our Aerican system.

After reading "Psuedo-Capitalism: Socialism For The Rich", I experienced a series of emotions: Shock, Anger, and a determination to participate more fully in the democratic process. Dr. Bindman's carefully crafted book helps to lift the veil over the corrupt practice of escalating corporate handouts by our elected officials, the privatization of public property for personal profit, and the rampant decline of economic fairness in Washington. I look forward to his next book which will hopefully expand on his plan to change the current political trend of favoring the rich through the exploitation and impoverishment of the working class in the name of a "free" market economy. This book is both food for thought and fuel for action! A must read manual for the new millenium.

Bindman's book Pseudo-Capitalism was given to me as a gift from a friend whom I believe at one time was a colleague of the author. Like most small publishers that is one way of getting ones work into circulation. I applaud that effort. One night while catching the train home and with nothing better to do I reached into my computer bag and out came Miss Liberty holding Pseudo-Capitalism's arm.

After reading the first page my thoughts shifted to the nightly news and the usual political name calling and finger pointing of blame. Nothing new here I thought, I was ready to put the book down but decided to press on as I still had an hour before I arrived at my destination. I'm glad I did. That decision wound up keeping me up half the night as I was compelled to finish the book that night.

After a few more pages I was taken in by the author's analytical process. Bindman's scientific and historical parallels by which he had drawn many of the economic conclusions was fascinating. Yes I know were the economy is now, yes, I had a pretty good idea how we got here, but I had no idea that analyzing what I believe to be abstract data could actually have made the prediction of the present so accurate. One must follow Bindman's train of thought, and then you will fully understand this man. I look forward to his next book and only hope his foresight extends several years into the future, so perhaps I may get a look at what might one day come...