Title: The past and future of America's economy : long waves of innovation that power cycles of growth /
Authors: Atkinson, Robert D.
Publisher: Edward Elgar Pub.,
Year: 2004
Subjects: Technological innovations Economic aspects United States; United States Economic conditions.; United States Economic policy.
Abstract: "Throughout American history, periodic cycles of economic change have fundamentally reordered the way we work, the organization of business and markets, the role of government, and even the nature of politics. If we are to control our future, we must understand this process of change." "Robert Atkinson examines this process of change over the past 150 years and explores the responses of people and institutions. The book then analyzes today's New Economy, including the technology system, and effects on markets, organizations, workers, and governance. Taking into account the historical record, the book discusses the shortcomings of prevailing liberal and conservative economic doctrines and lays out a new growth economics agenda aimed at maximizing the productivity-enhancing forces of the New Economy." "Anyone interested in American history as well as the future contours of our economy will find Dr. Atkinson's analyses a guide to the past and a provocative challenge for the future. Economists, business leaders, scholars, and economic policymakers will find it a necessary addition to the literature on economic cycles and growth economics."--Jacket.
Contents: PART I: HOW TECHNOLOGY DRIVES ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS: Introduction: A new economy? -- Technological, economic and social transformation -- Economic transformations from the 1840s to the 1990s -- Today's entrepreneurial knowledge-based economy -- The key to productivity revival -- The new economy and its discontents -- PART II: MODERNIZING PUBLIC POLICIES FOR THE NEW ECONOMY: Legacy economic policy frameworks -- Growth economics for the new economy -- Implementing growth economics -- Building a more humane economy.