The future of success / Robert B. Reich.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Reich, Robert B.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Work.

Information society--United States.

Information society.

United States.

Quality of work life--United States.

Quality of work life.

Work and family--United States.

Work and family.

Physical Description:

289 pages ; 25 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : A. Knopf : Distributed by Random House, 2001.

Summary:

From Robert B. Reich -- political economist, distinguished public servant, -- a brilliant analysis of the new economy and how it is affecting our lives, for better and for worse.

The dizzying exuberance of the Internet-driven marketplace offers unprecedented opportunities and an ever-expanding choice of deals, products, investments, and jobs -- ranging from the merely attractive to the nearly irresistible -- for the people with the right talents and skills. The technology that is the motor of this transformation relentlessly sharpens competition. When consumers can shift allegiance with the click of a mouse, sellers must make constant improvements by cutting costs, adding value, and creating new products. This is a boon to us as consumers, but it's wreaking havoc in the rest of our lives.

Reich demonstrates that the faster the economy changes -- with new innovations and opportunities engendering faster switches by customers and investors in response -- the harder it is for people to be confident of what they will be earning next year or even next month, what they will be doing, where they will be doing it. In short, those fabulous new deals of the fabulous new economy carry a steep price: more frenzied lives, less security, more economic and social stratification, the loss of time and energy for family, friendship, community, and self.

With the clarity and insight that are his hallmarks, and using examples from everyday life, Reich delineates what success is coming to mean in our time -- the pitfalls and downturns hidden in the apparent advantages and advances -- and suggests how we might create a more balanced society and more satisfying lives. The trends he discusses are powerful indeed, but they are not irreversible, or at least not unalterable.

Contents:

Part 1 The New Work

1. The Age of the Terrific Deal 13

2. The Spirit of Innovation 27

3. Of Geeks and Shrinks 51

4. The Obsolescence of Loyalty 69

5. The End of Employment As We Knew It 88

Part 2 The New Life

6. The Lure of Hard Work 111

7. The Sale of the Self 132

8. The Incredible Shrinking Family 158

9. Paying for Attention 176

10. The Community as Commodity 194

Part 3 Choices

11. Personal Choice 217

12. Public Choice 233.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 251-274) and index.

ISBN:

0375411127

OCLC:

44110404