American political economy in global perspective
By: Harold L. Wilensky
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Cambridge; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 360
ISBN-13: 9781107018099; 9781107638952
Subjects: Political sociology; Globalization; Economic conditions; Economic policy; Welfare state; Comparative government
Description: "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 ,♯m︢oderation,,♯ ̮the rise of the ,♯i︢ndependent 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.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 311-341) and index.
Table of contents: title: 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.