Explain why serious economic problems might make people more willing to listen to the ridiculous ideas?

Fear

Explanation:

People get desperate. Fear is a motivator to many especially when times get tough. Corona is a good example. Shortages in the grocery store may propel a family to buy a surplus of goods even when they don't particularly need them. The fear of not being able to purchase food brings uncertainty. Serious economic problems would make people feel not prepared. While in the bigger picture: The many who buy out stores and goods they don't need at the moment, they become the problem in the first place.

the best description of postwar writers might be progressive.

following the war, writers showed a tendency to work on artistic or social matters rather than political themes. while postwar literature may not have been the greatest period of english literature, the themes provided excellent critics a high number of novels. such examples include anthony burgess, anthony powell and frank kermode, all of which can be placed under the progressive view.