Customer Reviews

Aging Nation: The Economics and Politics of Growing Older in America

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"Aging Nation" is both highly informative and carefully reasoned. The co-authors, James Schulz, a well known economist, and Robert Binstock, a widely respected political scientist, have succeeded in combining several decades of work in their respective disciplines to produce a highly readable book for the general public.

Covering a variety of issues, ranging from retirement and Social Security to healthcare, the authors first present prevailing views followed by their careful analysis based on data as well as relevant historical precedents. For example, in discussing the current Social Security crisis, the authors remind us of a "modest but effective reform developed by The National Commission on Social Security Reform" (chaired by Alan Greenspan) under the Reagan administration "that put Social Security on a sound basis for many decades to come. "

One of the major strengths of this book is its focus on current developments which are close to many readers' hearts and minds: What are the effects of stock market fluctuation on older Americans? How does "off-shoring" of work to developing nations affect older Americans' chance for keeping or finding employment? Is it relevant to blame older people for the current healthcare crisis? The co-authors address these and other issues in a lucid manner.

Because of its attention to various issues demanding policy decisions, this book is especially relevant this Presidential election year. For anyone wishing to formulate a reasoned and well-informed opinion on the candidates' positions on economic security, retirement, health care and related issues, this is a "must" read.


M.M. Osako, Ph.D.

Chicago, IL

An outstanding, readable and credible overview of the economic and political implications of the aging of America... James Schulz and Robert Binstock, two highly-respected scholars, reject sensational and ideologically-driven claims that America cannot afford to support tomorrow's elders, that today's young will be overwhelmed by pension and health care costs for tomorrow's old.

The authors identify and discuss strains in the nation's public and private retirement and health security systems. The diverse circumstances of today's and tomorrow's elderly populations are examined. Problems in the occupationally-based health insurance system (including declines in retiree health insurace protection) are discussed as combining with overseas job competition, declines in employer pension protections and stock market fluctuations to shift risk onto individuals and their families. Schulz's and Binstock's analysis highlights the importance of maintaining the nation's commitment to the social insurance approachas exemplified by Social Security and Medicare -- the foundations of the nation's retirement and health security system. Their political and economic analysis shows how this can be accomplished and identifies trade-offs of various proposals.

"Aging Nation" is a valuable resource for those seeking a fresh and reasoned discussion about choices and complexities, challenges and opportunities, surrounding the 60 year transition of the 78 million persons born between 1946 and 1964 through their middle years and then into their early- and finally advanced-old ages. In discussing this demographic change, the authors examine the implications for differing age groups, taxpayers, employers and families.

A public service and an unquestionably useful book for students, decision-makers, the reading public and scholars... "Aging Nation" should find its ways onto the shelves of many libraries and into the hands of those shaping national discourse about population aging and the future of Social Security, Medicare and related policies.

Eric R. Kingson
Professor of Social Work and Public Administration
Syracuse University

When the social security system was invented, few people lived past the age of seventy. But in the modern era, it's almost a given that seeing eighty is an easy feat. "Aging Nation: The Economics and Politics of Growing Older in America" is a look America's problem of the impeding retirement of its baby boomer generation. Postulating that the collapse of Social Security is not entirely unavoidable, "Aging Nation" is an in depth look at every aspect of age and its politics, not just concerning Social Security but health care and many other issues as well. Highly recommended for community library economics collections.

This book is unbalanced. I expected, since the authors are experts, for a balanced account, but the authors, writing for a popular audience, elect to say that aging is not a problem for America. Yet their citations say the evidence is equivocal. On page 18-19: "A number of factors can render obsolete today's projections regarding the future of old-age programs...". "Economist Henry Aaron of the Brookings Inst reminds us that projections in the arena of public policy almost invariably prove to be wrong", "As the Center on an Aging Society... has demonstrated, 'demography is not destiny'".

Yet, the authors insist they have all the answers, and aging is not a problem. They pick and choose their opponents, picking on extreme statements made by journalists and non-experts. This is a polemic, that unless you agree with, grates on you after a few pages.

Nevertheless, the book gets three stars for at least framing the issues (inbetween the lines) and it's easy to read with footnotes, which is better than no footnotes.