The State of the Nation
Subtitle: Government and the Quest for a Better Society
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Published: January 1, 1997
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 483
ISBN-13: 9780674292109
Subjects: American history: postwar, from c 1945 -; POLITICS & GOVERNMENT; Social history; Sociology, Social Studies; c 1980 to c 1990; Social conditions; Political Sociology; U.S. History - Post World War II Period; Politics / Current Events; Government - U.S. Government; Sociology; USA; Political Science / State & Local Government; 1945-; Economic conditions; Quality of life; United States
Description: Never before have Americans been so anxious about the future of their society. But rarely has anyone offered a clear account of why, in a nation so prosperous, free, and stable, we tend to assume that the country is in dire straits and that the government can do little to help. This book is just such an account - an eloquent assessment of where America stands, how our society has changed in the past half-century, and who or what is responsible for our current frustrations.

In virtually all important areas of American life, Bok concludes, government policies have played a significant, often decisive role in accounting for our successes as well as our failures. But whereas others call for downsizing the federal government, Bok argues that government is essential to achieving America's goals. In short, Ronald Reagan was only half right: government is the problem - but it is also the most important part of the solution.

By assessing the state of the nation and identifying the reasons for its current condition, this book helps set the agenda for improving America's performance in the future.