Economic Quote by Thomas Woods
“Keynesians think that you can take water from the deep end of the swimming, pump it into the shallow end of the swimming pool and somehow the water level of the swimming pool will rise.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Economics of Water, 2015
Woods uses a swimming pool analogy to criticize Keynesian fiscal policy, suggesting that moving resources from deep to shallow does not increase overall wealth.
In simple terms: Keynesian policies shift resources without creating new wealth.
Question the effectiveness of redistributive policies.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- public welfare programs
- tax policy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Can redistribution ever increase total wealth?
- What are the limits of fiscal stimulus?
The analogy ignores multiplier effects and demand-side dynamics.