4.21

2

Oct 15, 2013

1.5

The movie is better than the book. Forget entertainment, rhetorically the movie is better than the book.

The film crafts a more effective argument by successfully weaving together the right amounts of ethos, pathos, and logos. Bravo. Also, the film made me really like Robert Reich.

The book is repetitive beyond belief. Claims are REPEATED rather than SUBSTANTIATED. Not only is supporting evidence lacking, but the completely one-sided argument never pauses to address and rebut counterarguments. 1.5

The movie is better than the book. Forget entertainment, rhetorically the movie is better than the book.

The film crafts a more effective argument by successfully weaving together the right amounts of ethos, pathos, and logos. Bravo. Also, the film made me really like Robert Reich.

The book is repetitive beyond belief. Claims are REPEATED rather than SUBSTANTIATED. Not only is supporting evidence lacking, but the completely one-sided argument never pauses to address and rebut counterarguments. While I tend to actually agree with all most of the points Reich sets forth, I do not think that he has proven them effectively enough at all.

Some Favorite (and summative) Quotations:

-“As mass production has to be accompanied by mass consumption, mass consumption, in turn implies a distribution of wealth—not of existing wealth, but of wealth as it is currently produced—to provide men with buying power equal to the amount of goods and services offered by the nation’s economic machinery” (17).

-“It is no mere coincidence that the two years in the last hundred that marked the apogees of inequality—when the richest 1 percent received a record 23.5% of total income—were 1928 and 2007” (5).

-“It is both an economic challenge and a moral challenge; concentrated income and wealth will threaten the integrity and cohesion of our society, and will undermine democracy” (65).

-“Just before the Great Recession, personal consumption in America equaled almost 70 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (more than 75 percent if you include the purchases of homes” (84).

“By 2000s, before the Great Recession, the typical American worker put in 2,200 hours/year…All told, the typical American family put in 500 additional hours of paid work, a full twelve weeks more than it had in 1979” (62).

-“The 400 richest Americans now own more wealth than the bottom 150 million combined.”
...more

4

Mar 06, 2014

This is an important discussion and does a great job of clearly laying out the evidence of how
our country's economic status, especially for the middle class and working poor, has changed since the period of the Great Prosperity (late 1940's through mid 1970's). The evidence is clear about the economic changes leading to stagnation and decline in wages and purchasing power for the vast majority of Americans.

Mr. Reich lays out the reasons for this tragedy in clear and easy to follow instances and This is an important discussion and does a great job of clearly laying out the evidence of how
our country's economic status, especially for the middle class and working poor, has changed since the period of the Great Prosperity (late 1940's through mid 1970's). The evidence is clear about the economic changes leading to stagnation and decline in wages and purchasing power for the vast majority of Americans.

Mr. Reich lays out the reasons for this tragedy in clear and easy to follow instances and examples. His concern for the sustainability of this direction we're in is, I believe, authentic, informed and worth consideration by all Americans sharing any sense of responsibility for the world we'll leave our successors. The important and valuable ideas at the heart of this book might be fully apprehended not only by those at the undergraduate and graduate levels, but by perceptive and thoughtful high school students, too. ...more

4

Jan 22, 2015

Robert Reich demonstrates his "liberal powerhouse" status through this must-read account of what ails the US middle class and the greater economy over all. Reich lays out how America's broken social contract has just barely started affecting electoral politics, and points to worrying signs for the next decade's worth of elections.

I would recommend this to literally everyone, and definitely anyone with even a passing interest in elections, the economy, or even the way policy has affected their Robert Reich demonstrates his "liberal powerhouse" status through this must-read account of what ails the US middle class and the greater economy over all. Reich lays out how America's broken social contract has just barely started affecting electoral politics, and points to worrying signs for the next decade's worth of elections.

I would recommend this to literally everyone, and definitely anyone with even a passing interest in elections, the economy, or even the way policy has affected their own finances. ...more

5

Dec 14, 2016

This book literally predicted the rise of Donald Trump and his ascension to president, fascinating.

5

Jun 03, 2015

All right...this is the BOOK TO READ. Forget about "...it's the economy stupid..." it is ALL 100% about the MIDDLE CLASS...A vibrant middle class, with growing incomes and positive outlook DRIVES the American economy and drives demand and consumption! It is really that simple. SO please read this book and support measures to financially strengthen the middle class. READ THIS BOOK or see the movie, INEQUALITY FOR ALL!

4

Jan 23, 2017

A bit repetitive of what he and others on the left have said about the economy, but Part III "The Bargain Restored" has concrete actionable ideas that we can be asking our politicians to derive policy from. One should definitely read Part III.

4

Jan 04, 2014

Well-written synopsis of Reich's political and economic philosophy. If you agree with him, you'll love this book. He offers practical solutions to some horrific problems, giving hope that we can not only survive, but thrive as a nation, and as a planet.