The Pathology of the U.S. Economy Revisited

The Intractable Contradictions of Economic Policy

M. Perlman

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Year: 2002
• Print ISBN: 9780312293178
• eBook ISBN: 9780230108233
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Business General
• Index: Business

This book describes the deep contradictions plague market economies. It shows how the influence of these contradictions sometimes subsides, allowing the economy to perform relatively well. But in time, these contradictions accumulate and economy declines as if it suffers from some degenerative disease. The policies designed to rise above these contradictions often spawn even more severe contradictions. This book describes how these contradictions have affected the economy of the United States in the past and the dangers that the future poses. For example, policies to stimulate the economy eventually lead to stagnation. Policies to make hold down wages make business even more uncompetitive. It also analyzes the destructive consequences of the military, finance, and the Federal Reserve. Finally, it debunks the mythological promise of a New Economy.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-Title
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction: Setting the Stage
• Chapter 1 Down the Tubes?
• Chapter 2 The Attack on Labor Accelerates the Economic Decline
• Chapter 3 Government and the Decline
• Chapter 4 The Role of the Military in the Economic Decline
• Chapter 5 Keynesian Policy, Monetary Policy, and the Weakening of Competition
• Chapter 6 Finance, the Falling Rate of Profit, and Economic Devastation
• Chapter 7 Deindustrialization and the Rise of the Service Economy
• Chapter 8 High Wages, Enlightened Management, and Economic Productivity
• Chapter 9 Is There a New Economy?
• References
• Index