Time to start thinking : America in the age of descent

by Edward Luce

Paper Book, 2012

Status

Available

Publication

New York : Atlantic Monthly Press, c2012.

Description

Luce diagnoses factors behind the country's waning global leadership such as the shrinking middle class; an ineffective and flawed educational system; the stagnation of innovation in business and technology; a bloated and inefficient bureaucracy; the virulent polarization of national politics; and the damage caused by the influence of money in politics, along with endless campaigning. In the end, he assesses the prospects for change and offers a bleak outlook.

User reviews

LibraryThing member Opinionated
A very lucid exposition of what is wrong with America and what needs fixing. Luce has gathered a wide range of opinions and his arguments make perfect sense. There are a number of themes explored in the book but the ones that come through most strongly are 1) the lack of competitiveness and
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innovation and the structural reasons driving that 2) the woeful education system 3) legislative deadlock and 4) the massive income disparity and lack of social mobility . But Luce is at his best when discussing the Tea Party, its genesis and raison d'etre, and the likely culture wars we can expect in the next few years. Its grim stuff - and Luce comes across as well meaning rather than anti American. Its a sobering read that everyone with an interest in world affairs should take on board

Minus half a star for an irritating large number of typos!
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