Display:
That's because in the 1920's they were owners while in the 1990's they were CEOs.

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 01:33:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Yes, but the high level of wages inequality means the capital/labour ratio is not as relevant as it used to be, because the CEOs high salaries are include in the labour part.

"Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
by Melanchthon on Fri Apr 10th, 2009 at 04:36:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]
My theory is that, after shareholder power was eroded in the post-WWII years, eventually "the wealthy" (pace Colman) realised the control of the corporations had passed to the management and decided to become management. Hence, MBA programs and "executive compensation".

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Apr 10th, 2009 at 04:41:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]
True. See Alfred D. Chandler's "The Visible Hand"

"Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
by Melanchthon on Fri Apr 10th, 2009 at 04:51:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]
But The Visible Hand refers to the period before the 1930's, not after the 1970's.

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Apr 10th, 2009 at 05:02:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Yes, but the model developed by a few big companies before the 30's was extended to all the economic sectors/ sizes of companies during and following WWII, together with a huge development of modern manufacturing.

"Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
by Melanchthon on Fri Apr 10th, 2009 at 05:49:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Today's CEOs are employees in drag. John Raulston Saul wrote about this at length in the early 1990s: Voltaire's Bastards.
by PIGL on Fri Apr 10th, 2009 at 01:35:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Display:
Login
. Make a new account
. Reset password
Recommended Diaries
Clipping the wings of a judge
by Migeru - Feb 10
6 comments

Hunger March wins PR battle
by DoDo - Feb 9
2 comments

Romania: protests change government
by DoDo - Feb 8
6 comments

Murdoch - Outsourcing and Hubris
by ceebs - Feb 3
18 comments

Obama wins GOP Primaries (to date)
by Frank Schnittger - Feb 8
8 comments

Bristol Pound
by ChrisCook - Feb 7
14 comments

Strange Fruit
by Frank Schnittger - Feb 4
14 comments

The Imitation Of Germany
by afew - Feb 4
31 comments

Recent Diaries
Sarkozy: Enemies Ahoy!
by afew - Feb 10
1 comment

Clipping the wings of a judge
by Migeru - Feb 10
6 comments

LQD: Unsustainable irrigation
by Melanchthon - Feb 9

Hunger March wins PR battle
by DoDo - Feb 9
2 comments

Obama wins GOP Primaries (to date)
by Frank Schnittger - Feb 8
8 comments

Romania: protests change government
by DoDo - Feb 8
6 comments

Answers to the Renewable Energy Consultation
by Luis de Sousa - Feb 7

Bristol Pound
by ChrisCook - Feb 7
14 comments

The Imitation Of Germany
by afew - Feb 4
31 comments

Strange Fruit
by Frank Schnittger - Feb 4
14 comments

Murdoch - Outsourcing and Hubris
by ceebs - Feb 3
18 comments

Mismatch with the Natural Gas Market
by Luis de Sousa - Feb 3
22 comments

The Future of Economics
by ARGeezer - Feb 2
191 comments

Desert Island Discs - Helen's distortions
by Helen - Jan 31
48 comments

Gorila
by DoDo - Jan 29
14 comments

Rail News Blogging #7
by DoDo - Jan 29
15 comments

Obama's State Of The Union: LQD
by Crazy Horse - Jan 25
74 comments

Democracy Technology
by gmoke - Jan 24
1 comment

The Hydrogen dream
by Luis de Sousa - Jan 24
49 comments

ET Paris Meet-Up 2012 (2 UPDATE)
by afew - Jan 23
113 comments

More Diaries...
Occasional Series