Corporate Power, American Democracy, and the Automobile Industry [Hardcover]

Stan Luger (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521631734 | ISBN-13: 978-0521631730 | Publication Date: December 28, 1999

This book offers a critical history of government policy toward the U.S. automobile industry in order to assess the impact of the large corporation on American democracy. Drawing together the main policy issues affecting the automobile industry over the past forty years--occupant safety, emissions, fuel economy and trade--the work examines how the industry established its hegemony over the public perception of vehicle safety to inhibit federal regulation, and the battle for federal regulation that succeeded in toppling this hegemony in 1966; the subsequent efforts to include pollution emissions and fuel economy under federal mandates in the 1970s; the industry's resurgence of influence in the 1980s; and the mixed pattern of influence in the 1990s.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A calm, analytic, probing, documented and riveting critique of Washington's kowtowing to Detroit, and the efforts of consumer and environmental groups, on behalf of motorists, safety and clean air, to stop the melding of this corporate state." Ralph Nader, Washington D.C.

"Stan Luger has written a first-rate study of corporate power in modern America. By dissecting the relationship of the automobile industry to government, he reveals the structural roots of business power, and also the conditions under which the grip of business on government is sometimes relaxed. Thus illuminating and nuanced study speaks directly to the political limits and possibilities of our time." Frances Fox Piven, City University of New York

"Stan Luger provides us with a rich and troubling account of the U.S. automobile industry's political power during the last half century. The evidence that he amasses forces us to consider the parallels with the tobacco industry. Will future historians group these together as 'outlaw industries' that skillfully used political power to avert effective regulation of dangerous products?" Fred Block, University of California, Davis

"...a scholarly study of the history of the power and influence of the automobile industry on governmental policies and the interactions of government, automobile industry, and societal pressures...the author does a creditable job of presenting the material. For readers interested in policymaking with respect to the automobile industry, it is a jolly good read." The Flying Lady, Rolls-Royce Owners' Club.

Book Description

This book offers a critical history of government policy toward the U.S. automobile industry in order to assess the impact of the large corporation on American democracy. Drawing together the main policy issues affecting the automobile industry over the past forty years --occupant safety, emissions, fuel economy and trade-- the work examines how the industry established its hegemony over the public perception of vehicle safety to inhibit federal regulation and the battle for federal regulation which succeeded in toppling this hegemony in 1966; the subsequent efforts to include pollution emissions and fuel economy under federal mandates in the 1970s; the industry's resurgence of influence in the 1980s; and the mixed pattern of influence in the 1990s. The analysis seeks to uncover factors that enhance corporate political influence, and those that constrain corporate power, allowing for public interest forces to be successful.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (December 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521631734
• ISBN-13: 978-0521631730
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,413,747 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provoking and witty!, September 8, 2000

By 

Virginia L. Parks (Venice, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Corporate Power, American Democracy, and the Automobile Industry (Hardcover)

If you've raised an eyebrow at the recent Bridgestone/Firestone/Ford scandal, get ready to raise two-you may need to borrow a few more-when you read this book. In Corporate Power, American Democracy, and the Automobile Industry, Stan Luger provides an intriguing historical context (think shady past) for the auto industry's latest disregard of public safety and consumer protection. If you think tire failures and SUV rollovers are bad, dig deeper-this is just icing. Luger gives you the cake-the misdeeds of corporate greed run thick through America's car industry. This book recounts forty years of the automobile industry's use (and misuse) of corporate power and reveals how this power has influenced public policy, politics, and our everyday car culture. From public safety to environmental protection, Luger illustrates how the automobile industry has flexed its muscles in the political arena to, guess what, maximize profit at our expense. Luger tracks the car industry's patterns of power and shows us that the market isn't just about supply and demand-it's about influence, decisions of the elite, and a disregard for the democratic process.

Luger shows how, time and again, the automobile industry has shirked responsibility for the negative impact of its products and held regulations at bay. For example, Luger explains how "blaming the drive" is a well-worn response of the auto industry. Recently, Bridgestone/Firestone tried to argue that its tires aren't faulty-SUV drives are at fault for improper tire inflation. Luger gives us the historical pattern for this position: from the late 1930s up until the early 1960s, the auto industry repeatedly argued that the cause of automobile accidents lay with the driver. It argued that increased driver education and responsibility would eliminate most accidents and pushed for programs and legislation that funded drivers' education and stiffened enforcement of traffic violations. Of course, Ralph Nader proved in the mid-1960s that the driver wasn't to blame, and that the car-unsafe at any speed-was. Which brings us to Luger's important point: social movements, such as Nader's consumer rights campaigns, are key to meeting capital's flagrant abuses head-on. Whether it's the labor movement or the environmental movement, organized response can challenge corporate power.

But don't just read this book for its hard-hitting analysis; it's also a witty narrative with juicy asides about the sleazier side of the automobile industry. You'll die laughing when you come across the story about the most expensive executive midnight snack in history (don't read it while driving!).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough, Smart & Sassy, August 22, 2000

By 

l moody (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Corporate Power, American Democracy, and the Automobile Industry (Hardcover)

Corporate Power, American Democracy and the Automobile Industry is a must read for anyone who wants to go deeper than "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" into the automania that is America. Thoroughly researched, politically savvy, and sharply critical of corporate control of our democracy, this book fits oh so well with all election year reading material. Makes you want to dump that SUV and jump on the bus!