Illusions of Opportunity: The American Dream in Question
Schwarz (political science, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson) presents a lucid and engaging argument that the current "healthy" economy falls seriously short in providing opportunity for all citizens to achieve a decent life?the author's "moral bottom line." The book extends his previous analysis of working poverty with Thomas J. Volgy in The Forgotten Americans (LJ 9/15/92) and draws on the historic benefits of government spending he demonstrated in America's Hidden Success (Norton, 1988. rev. ed.). A significant contribution is the historical background that puts government economic involvement into the context of the political philosophy of the nation's founders. The author notes that the traditional American ethic of hard work, honesty, and persistence is sustainable only in the presence of opportunity that allows the virtuous to attain a rising, if modest, standard of living. He also persuasively criticizes current government calculations of unemployment and poverty. Highly recommended for all libraries.?Paula Dempsey, Loyola Univ., ChicagoCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.