The state of the nation : government and the quest for a better society

著者

書誌事項

The state of the nation : government and the quest for a better society

Derek Bok

Harvard University Press, 1998

1st Harvard Univ. Press paperback ed

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注記

Bibliographical references included in "Notes" : p. 427-476

Includes index

内容説明・目次

内容説明

Never before have Americans been so anxious about the future of their society. But rarely has anyone offered a clear statement about why, in a nation so prosperous, free, and stable, we tend to assume that the country is in dire straits and that the government can do little to help. This book is just such a statement, an eloquent assessment of where America stands, how our society has changed in the past half-century, and who or what is responsible for our current frustrations. Derek Bok examines the nation's progress in five areas that Americans generally consider to be of paramount importance: economic prosperity, quality of life, opportunity, personal security, and societal values. He shows that although we are better off today in most areas than we were in 1960, we have performed poorly overall compared with other leading industrial nations. And when it comes to providing adequate health care at a reasonable cost, educating our young people for high-skilled jobs, alleviating poverty and urban blight, and reducing crime, our record has been dismal. Comparing the United States with other leading industrial nations on more than sixty key indicators, Bok shows that we rank below average in more than two-thirds of the cases and at the bottom in more than half. What has caused this decline, and what can be done about it? In virtually all important areas of American life, Bok concludes, government policies have played a significant, often decisive role in accounting for our successes as well as our failures. But whereas others call for downsizing the federal government, Bok argues that government is essential to achieving America's goals. In short, Ronald Reagan was only half right. Government is the problem. But it is also the most important part of the solution. By assessing the state of the nation and identifying the reasons for its current condition, this book helps set the agenda for improving America's performance in the future.

目次

Introduction Prosperity The Economy Scientific Research and Technology Education Labor Market Policies Quality of Life Living Conditions The Environment Encouraging the Arts Opportunity Child Policies Race Career Opportunities Personal Security Violent Crime Health Care Regulating the Workplace The Burdens of Old Age Values Individual Freedom under Law Personal Responsibility Helping the Poor What It All Means Summing Up Questioning the Verdict The Role of Government Notes Index

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