Illusions of prosperity

By Joel Blau

Subjects: Economie de marche, Plant shutdowns, Commerce exterieur et emploi, Inégalité sociale, Délocalisations (Économie), Public welfare, Privatisierung, Business relocation, Wirtschaftspolitik, Free trade, Chomage, Aide sociale, Sécurité économique, Libre-échange, Répartition, Income distribution, Usines, Delocalisations (Economie), Income distribution, united states, Securite economique, Repartition, Wirtschaftliche Lage, Politique publique, Unemployment, united states, Politique de l'emploi, Marktwirtschaft, Arbeidersklasse, Travailleurs, Libre-echange, Commerce extérieur et emploi, Inegalite sociale, Salaires, Politique économique, Wages, developing countries, Fermeture, Sociale ongelijkheid, Wages, Unemployment, Sozialpolitik, Chômage, Arbeiterfamilie, Inkomensverdeling, Foreign trade and employment, Public welfare, united states, United states, economic policy, 1993-2001, Soziale Sicherheit, Chomeurs, Politique economique, Revenu, Droit au travail, Économie de marché, Economic policy, Marktmechanisme, Sociale politiek, Chômeurs

Description: "In Illusions of Prosperity, Blau launches a far-reaching assault on the idea that "the market" knows best. Blau writes that while the share of the national income held by the bottom four-fifths of the population (the poor and broad middle class combined) has continued to decline, the top fifth gained 97 percent of the increase in total household income between 1979 and 1994. Blau looks at recent reforms in NAFTA, education, job training, welfare, and much more, showing that the new social policies have made matters worse, because reforms that rely on the market can't compensate for the market's deficiencies. Instead, he calls for a stronger, more caring government to counter the debilitating effects of the market, and he urges the development of the broadest possible political alliances to ensure economic security."--BOOK JACKET.