--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ever since 1945 the federal government…" description: "\"“Ever since 1945 the federal government has held and indeed increased its importance as the first customer of the American economy. Government spending..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6af/john-morris-roberts-62771_federal-government_ever-since-1945-the-federal-government-h_2146259.jpg" --- # Ever since 1945 the federal government has held and indeed… ![“Ever since 1945 the federal government has held and indeed increased its importance as the first customer of the American economy. Government spending had been the primary economic stimulant and to increase it had been the goal of hundreds of interest groups; hopes of balanced budgets and cheap…” quote by John Morris Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6af/john-morris-roberts-62771_federal-government_ever-since-1945-the-federal-government-h_2146259.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6af/john-morris-roberts-62771_federal-government_ever-since-1945-the-federal-government-h_2146259.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6af/john-morris-roberts-62771_federal-government_ever-since-1945-the-federal-government-h_2146259.jpg) > ““Ever since 1945 the federal government has held and indeed increased its importance as the first customer of the American economy. Government spending had been the primary economic stimulant and to increase it had been the goal of hundreds of interest groups; hopes of balanced budgets and cheap, business-like administration always ran aground upon this fact. What was more, the United States was a democracy; whatever the doctrinaire objections to it, and however much rhetoric might be devoted to attacking it, a welfare state slowly advanced because voters wanted it that way. These facts gradually made the old ideal of totally free enterprise, unchecked and uninvaded by the influence of government, unreal.”” [John Morris Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-morris-roberts/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Government became the primary driver of economic activity, shaping policy and welfare through spending and voter demand. **In simple terms:** Government drives the economy. Key Takeaway Recognize government’s role in economic outcomes. Themes economics government policy democracy welfare state Mood analytical critical Type explanatory historical When to use this quote - budget planning - public policy design - social program evaluation Key Concepts public spending interest groups voter influence market regulation Questions to Reflect On - How does government spending affect market competition? - What balance should exist between public and private economic forces? A Different Perspective Government influence can limit private sector freedom and efficiency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-economy/) [Federal government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federal-government/) [Free enterprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-enterprise/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government spending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-spending/) [Interest groups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest-groups/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [United states](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states/) [Welfare state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/welfare-state/) ## Related quotes > [In an economy, when the government spends more and invests in the economy, that money circulates, and recirculates again and again. 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We spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-browne/we-may-not-always-recognize-it-but-government-plays-a-bigger-role-in/) [Harry Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-browne/) > [We must try to influence the government, not fight to take power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/we-must-try-to-influence-the-government-not-fight-to-take-power/) [Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/) > [The problem is that when government controls the economy, those who can influence government keep winning, and everybody else just stays the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/the-problem-is-that-when-government-controls-the-economy-those-who/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [In 1995 the whole political situation was very complicated. 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Branscomb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-m-branscomb/) [Browse all 111 American economy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-economy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Ever since 1945 the federal government has held and indeed increased its importance as the first customer of the American economy. Government spending had been the primary economic stimulant and to increase it had been the goal of hundreds of interest groups; hopes of balanced budgets and cheap, business-like administration always ran aground upon this fact. What was more, the United States was a democracy; whatever the doctrinaire objections to it, and however much rhetoric might be devoted to attacking it, a welfare state slowly advanced because voters wanted it that way. 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