INCOMPLETE DRAFT: LONG NOTES TO: Chapter V. World War I

For "Slouching Towards Utopia?: An Economic History of the Long 20th Century", Basic Books, September 6, 2022

Stories have protagonists. They make most of the decisions and take most of the actions. That is how we think. A prime minister like Otto von Bismarck maneuvers to retain power. The working class decides to give him some of their votes in return for national health insurance. So Germany chooses, precociously, to march down the road of social insurance a…