Coates (political science, Wake Forest U.) surveys the current economic situation in the United States and presents the case that it should be met with a program of liberal-progressive economics. The program includes a return to greater regulation of markets; "managed" trade which would include the establishment of global labor standards, "fair trade" institutions overseeing trade between developed and developing countries, and an industrial policy in the US aimed at promoting green industrial strength; a concerted effort to turn the US economy in a green direction; and a challenge to the American model of short-term capital investment and imperial overreach. In each case he lays out what he sees as the conservative/right arguments for the issue before putting forth the progressive case. He also includes a discussion of the politics of achieving his goals (apparently remaining wedded to the Democratic Party for such a program, if not very pleased with its performance or the "dangers of Obama's centrism"). Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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