American political economy in global perspective / Harold L. Wilensky.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wilensky, Harold L.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States--Economic policy.

United States.

Economic policy.

United States--Economic conditions.

Economic conditions.

Comparative government.

Political sociology.

Welfare state.

Globalization.

Physical Description:

xxiv, 360 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2012.

Summary:

"This book is a guide to claims about the proper role of government and markets in a global economy"--Provided by publisher.

"This book is a guide to claims about the proper role of government and markets in a global economy. Moving between systematic comparison of 19 rich democracies and debate about what the United States can do to restore a more civilized, egalitarian, and fair society, Harold L. Wilensky tells us how six of these countries got on a low road to economic progress and which components of their labor-crunch strategy are uniquely American. He provides an overview of the impact of major dimensions of globalization, only one of which ,♯͡ the interaction of the internationalization of finance and the rapid increase in the autonomy of central banks ,♯͡ undermines either national sovereignty or job security, labor standards, and the welfare state. Although Wilensky views American policy and politics through the lens of globalization, he concludes that the nation-state remains the center of personal identity, social solidarity, and political action. He concentrates on what national differences mean for the well-being of nations and their people. Drawing on lessons from abroad and from America,♯s̥ own past successes, Wilensky shows how we can reverse our three-decade decline. He argues that, in order to get off the low road, we must overcome the myths of ,♯m͠oderation,,♯ ̮the rise of the ,♯i͠ndependent voter,,♯ ̮and a rightward shift of the electorate. He specifies a feasible domestic agenda that matches majority sentiments in all rich democracies"--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: Part I. Globalization, Public Policy, and the Wellbeing of People: 1. The welfare state as the center of public finance and political conflict; 2. Energy policy and performance: U.S. and the world; 3. What tradeoffs are good and bad for the economy?: domestic structures and policies that permit adaptation to globalization; 4. Retrenchment of the welfare state? the fate of 'cutback budgeting' in Italy, France, Germany, the U.S., U.K., and New Zealand; 5. Pensions coverage: US health care remains unique; 6. The impact of 'globalization': an overview; Part II. Moving the U.S. off the Low Road: Lessons from Abroad: 7. Low road versus high road: American exceptionalism; 8. Policy implications for the United States: how to get off the low road.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 311-341) and index.

ISBN:

9781107018099

1107018099

9781107638952

110763895X

OCLC:

731901351