differently than the U.S.? John Maynard Keynes famously stated "Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually slaves of some defunct economist." Indeed, economists throughout American history have had a great influence on this nation of self-avowed practical men -- and not just Keynes or Adam Smith or Milton Friedman, but also Henry George, Thomas Malthus, and Thorstein Veblen. It would be great if the Guys could give us a tour through the interplay between the development of economic thought and America's political creeds. Also, did Karl Marx ever have any substantial influence on American politics -- if so, how? I recently visited the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Kentucky -- it was absolutely fascinating to hear the guide talk about the development of this utopian community and its impact on America's economy and society. For example, according to the guide, Shakers pioneered the mass marketing of those vegetable and flower seed packets that we see at plant nurseries -- and let's not forget Shaker furniture. Also, the Shaker's presence caused quite a stir among their non-Shaker neighbors with their midnight romps around bonfires deep in the woods. This experience has got me wondering about the long history of utopian communities in America -- why did so many take root here, however briefly? How have they influenced America's government, politics, and economy? Do they come in waves? Do they generally arise in response to domestic upheaval, or is their emergence linked to