As a person who agrees with a number of libertarian policies while finding the Libertarian movement as a whole to be dogmatic and insufferable, I was approached The Inclusive Economy with a great deal of interest. An avowed libertarian of the Cato Institute writing a mea culpa for all the various issues he feels libertarians have been ignoring and proposing a new direction to address those issues? Wherever you are politically, that's worth reading. I was not disappointed.
The first half of the book is, essentially, a long-form apology on the part of the author detailing how he and the broader Libertarian movement have too often dismissed the impact of race, gender and class on people's ability to get ahead. He summarizes a large amount of research on the various roadblocks women and minorities face in the economic sphere. None of it will be new information for those on the left but it is a welcoming sight coming from the right.
The second half encompasses the author's suggestions to address the issues raised in the first half and ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared more broadly (hence the title). Being a libertarian, it is perhaps unsurprising that his solutions tend towards changing or eliminating various aspects of government interference in the economy. Some of his arguments are more convincing then others. Ending the War on Drugs and expunging records for non-violent drug offenses is a good idea, given the difficulty ex-felons have in finding work, as are loosening zoning and licensing regulations. In contrast, the section on tax cuts and the minimum wage feels like a feels almost perfunctory. On the whole, the author makes a good case for his proposals, particularly in regards to how they can help address the racial and gender disparities outlined in the first half of the book. Highly recommended.
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About the author
Looking at poverty without bias or agenda
Anyone who can make both the left and the right wingers angry is likely speaking truth to those in power. This book is extremely well-researched. It presents a balanced history of poverty in America and explains why both political extremes have no answer for solving the poverty program. His makes a persuasive case for why trying to raise taxes on the rich and simply handing over money to the poor will never solve the poverty problem (in the sense of eliminating poverty as opposed to alleviating its harms). Little progress has been made towards the goal of ending poverty since LBJ announced a national "War on Poverty." But he also takes conservatives to task for believing that all that is needed is hard work and following simple rules. (Donald Trump would choose not to work if he faced the marginal tax rates that many poor people face if they are making use of current government antipoverty programs). He makes a strong case that the trillions of dollars we have spent trying to win the war on poverty has merely institutionalized poverty. And unfortunately a huge bureaucracy that only exists because of poverty really has little interest in seeing poverty eliminated! What will be most challenging for readers is Tanner's prescription for truly ending poverty, which would begin with ending another sham "war" declared by another president - Nixon's "war on drugs." Here we have trillions more dollars spent with little success in stopping people from using their drug of choice. For anyone truly interested in understanding what would be required to end poverty in America. this book is a must-read. But it must be approached with an open mind, because its analysis and recommendations will be challenging to any on the right or left who already thinks they "know" all the answers. Libertarians though should take heart!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2019Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Anyone who can make both the left and the right wingers angry is likely speaking truth to those in power. This book is extremely well-researched. It presents a balanced history of poverty in America and explains why both political extremes have no answer for solving the poverty program. His makes a persuasive case for why trying to raise taxes on the rich and simply handing over money to the poor will never solve the poverty problem (in the sense of eliminating poverty as opposed to alleviating its harms). Little progress has been made towards the goal of ending poverty since LBJ announced a national "War on Poverty." But he also takes conservatives to task for believing that all that is needed is hard work and following simple rules. (Donald Trump would choose not to work if he faced the marginal tax rates that many poor people face if they are making use of current government antipoverty programs). He makes a strong case that the trillions of dollars we have spent trying to win the war on poverty has merely institutionalized poverty. And unfortunately a huge bureaucracy that only exists because of poverty really has little interest in seeing poverty eliminated!
Looking at poverty without bias or agenda
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2019
What will be most challenging for readers is Tanner's prescription for truly ending poverty, which would begin with ending another sham "war" declared by another president - Nixon's "war on drugs." Here we have trillions more dollars spent with little success in stopping people from using their drug of choice.
For anyone truly interested in understanding what would be required to end poverty in America. this book is a must-read. But it must be approached with an open mind, because its analysis and recommendations will be challenging to any on the right or left who already thinks they "know" all the answers. Libertarians though should take heart!
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Top reviews from other countries
- Austin del RioReviewed in Canada on January 7, 2019
Penetrating look into causes and partial solutions to poverty
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
