The dialogue about the new economic policy: J. M. Keynes and V. I. Ulyanov-Lenin

Abstract

Introduction. It is particularly interesting to study the achievements of outstanding personalities on the world scale, those who made a significant contribution to economic science, played a crucial role in the international history of politics and economic activity, laid the prerequisites for the formation of original schools of economic thought, which were named after their founders. Such personalities were John Maynard Keynes and Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov-Lenin. Methods and concepts. The term “dialogue”, meaning a conversation, an exchange of statements in spoken and written speech, precisely characterizes the format of correspondence communication between J. M. Keynes and V. I. Lenin. Having no personal acquaintance with each other, no mutual sympathies, the interlocutors addressed each other in publications and public speeches, setting out and commenting on the words and thoughts, deeds and actions, moral values, social and political ideals shared by the vis-a-vis. The dialogue between the two prominent persons dealt with the problems of developing and implementing a new economic policy in the international sphere and in certain countries. Analysis and interpretation. The immediate reason for the beginning of the dialogue was the publication of J. M. Keynes’ book “Economic Consequences of Peace” in December 1919, which repeatedly mentioned the name of V. I. Lenin. The dialogue of J. M. Keynes and V. I. Lenin took place not only in the format of publicly addressing each other, indicating the name of the interlocutor, but also in a hidden form of reminiscence – memories of what was said and heard, written and perceived by the counterpart. Results. The communication between J. M. Keynes and V. I. Lenin was maintained in the “Ab voce, ad rem” mode – from words to deeds. Serious thoughts expressed by the interlocutors found their real embodiment.