RESURGENT LIBERAL (And Other Unfashionable Prophecies) [Hardcover]

Robert B. Reich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 23, 1989 | Series: And Other Unfashionable Prophecies

If any book can change a nation's thinking, it has to be this brilliant and perceptive work by one of the most tough-minded bearers of the torch of liberalism. For in The Resurgent Liberal Robert B. Reich, a professor at Harvard, Secretary of Labor, and the author of the best-selling The Work of Nations, not only champions a cause but looks fairly and unblinkingly at the conservative opposition. He carefully examines the four "parables" conservatives have exploited to monopolize American politics -- and what liberals must do to take it back.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

If Reich ( Tales of a New America ) is correct, the political conservatism of George Bush and his predecessor Reagan is Social Darwinism in disguise, promoting shortsighted greed and fostering a nonproductive paper economy. As an alternative, the Harvard political economist outlines a mix of reforms that emphasize a coordinated national industrial policy, investment in new technologies and infrastructure, retraining of workers with corporate support and a flexible, antiprotectionist trade policy. Among the proposals in these 32 incisive articles are a few that some readers might not consider "liberal," e.g., taxing more of Social Security benefits and reducing farm supports. Well worth reading, this volume contains much good sense and sets forth concrete steps that might help revitalize the economy. Topics include collective entrepreneurship, Washington lobbyists, sexism, Pentagon waste and U.S.
Japanese competition.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Just as Michael Harrington preaches the revival of socialism in his recent Socialism: Past and Future , LJ 6/1/89), political economist Reich also argues that the time is ripe for the resurgence of liberal policies in the United States. This new work can be seen as a continuation of the liberal-economic vision portrayed by Reich in The Next American Frontier ( LJ 7/83) and Tales of a New America ( LJ 3/1/87). The 32 short essays in this collection touch on a variety of 1980s issues: the "casual fiscal policies of the Reagan administration," the 1987 Wall Street crash, corporate greed, "paper entrepreneurs," the workforce of the future, economic nationalism, Gorbachev's reforms, feminism, civic obligation, and the prospect of a Quayle presidency. Reich's ideas are provocative, his position is always clear, and his prose is lively. This will find readers in both public and academic libraries.
- Thomas A. Karel, Franklin & Marshall Coll. Lib., Lancaster, Pa.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 303 pages
• Publisher: Crown; 1st edition (September 23, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812918339
• ISBN-13: 978-0812918335
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,262,824 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great intro to Robert Reich's thinking, November 26, 2004

By 

Lucia - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Resurgent Liberal: And Other Unfashionable Prophecies (Paperback)

I read this book as a high school senior, but even now, 10 years later, I haven't forgotten its basic message. There are haves and have-nots and it's important to think about how disparities in access to wealth, education, housing, and other goodies are created and perpetuated. It's also a call to arms to reduce these inequities.

This book is a great foundation if you're interested in political economy. Reich's observations are interesting as well as entertaining to read. I also recommend some of his other works, albeit all are dated: Work of Nations, Locked in the Cabinet, and The Future of Success.