Final answer:
John Kenneth Galbraith, a Harvard economist, published 'The Affluent Society' in 1958, which examined poverty in a wealthy nation and argued against the assumption that economic growth leads to prosperity for all.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1958, the Harvard economist and public intellectual who published The Affluent Society was John Kenneth Galbraith. This book critiques the widespread belief of post-war America that economic growth automatically leads to improved standard of living for all segments of society. Galbraith's work brought attention to the coexistence of private wealth and public poverty and how market economies need to address not just the production, but also the equitable distribution of wealth.
In opposition to the ideas of Galbraith were economists like Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman who ardently defended the free-market capitalism and argued against government intervention. Meanwhile, Adam Smith, known as the father of capitalism, introduced the concept of the invisible hand, advocating for a laissez-faire approach to the economy. Conversely, John Maynard Keynes promoted the idea that government intervention is necessary to stabilize the economy, especially during financial downturns.