American Challenges - (Contributions in Political Science) by Irving Leveson (Hardcover)

About the Book

The American economy and society are undergoing vast transformations, including a renaissance of capitalism, a great wave of technological change, and a restructuring of businesses and industries. A superindustrial society is evolving, and there is a new social cycle that initially offers a greater understanding of problems along with practical means to their solutions. This work addresses the changing state of America's economy and society in its global context, painting a serious but positive portrait of the United States in the next decade. In this context, Irving Leveson carefully explores long term trends and prospects, provides an integrated treatment of issues that are usually examined in discrete fragments, offers a context for planning and decision making, and contributes thorough analyses of specific trends and issues.

The book is structured around three major themes. The first is the need for longer term perspectives in both personal and business affairs; the second focuses on key trends, and the way in which some will be significantly weakened, nullified, or reversed in the 1990s; and the third details the serious business, social, and economic challenges that remain to be dealt with. Leveson charts the transformation of America and the economic conservatism and market orientation that resulted in the renaissance of capitalism, as well as the long cycle upswing of economic restructuring. He then turns to the coming superindustrial society and new social cycle, along with the challenges, opportunities, and problems that the 1990s and the next century will bring. Throughout the work, he offers perspectives on such topics as prospects for corporate restructuring, financial globalization and volatility, health futures, and the relation of business strategy to long cycle evolution. An accompanying appendix provides comparisons of long cycles, and the study concludes with a selected bibliography. This work will be a useful tool for corporate managers and executives, government officials, and policy planners, as well as a valuable resource for courses in economic studies and public policy. It will also be an important addition to the collections of both public and academic libraries.

Book Synopsis

The American economy and society are undergoing vast transformations, including a renaissance of capitalism, a great wave of technological change, and a restructuring of businesses and industries. A superindustrial society is evolving, and there is a new social cycle that initially offers a greater understanding of problems along with practical means to their solutions. This work addresses the changing state of America's economy and society in its global context, painting a serious but positive portrait of the United States in the next decade. In this context, Irving Leveson carefully explores long term trends and prospects, provides an integrated treatment of issues that are usually examined in discrete fragments, offers a context for planning and decision making, and contributes thorough analyses of specific trends and issues.

The book is structured around three major themes. The first is the need for longer term perspectives in both personal and business affairs; the second focuses on key trends, and the way in which some will be significantly weakened, nullified, or reversed in the 1990s; and the third details the serious business, social, and economic challenges that remain to be dealt with. Leveson charts the transformation of America and the economic conservatism and market orientation that resulted in the renaissance of capitalism, as well as the long cycle upswing of economic restructuring. He then turns to the coming superindustrial society and new social cycle, along with the challenges, opportunities, and problems that the 1990s and the next century will bring. Throughout the work, he offers perspectives on such topics as prospects for corporate restructuring, financial globalization and volatility, health futures, and the relation of business strategy to long cycle evolution. An accompanying appendix provides comparisons of long cycles, and the study concludes with a selected bibliography. This work will be a useful tool for corporate managers and executives, government officials, and policy planners, as well as a valuable resource for courses in economic studies and public policy. It will also be an important addition to the collections of both public and academic libraries.

Review Quotes

"This book has many useful insights and is well-written. It should be read by all those who need to take a look at this new decade. This book has visionary dimensions as well as many practical suggestions."-Henry Kaufman Henry Kaufman & Company, Inc.

"This book is a remarkably perceptive analysis of where the U.S. economy has been in recent decades and now seems to be headed in the 1990s. . . Decision makers will find considerable help in this publication as they weigh future risks arising from changing public and private attitudes and policies."-Walter E. Hoadley Former Executive Vice President and Chief Economist Bank of America

"This comprehensive and well-researched book furnishes both for the specialist and general reader rich insight into the international and American economies. This analysis of not only economic but also socio-political trends and their influence on structural change and economic growth is a contribution of the first importance to contemporary political and economic thought."-Marie-Josee Drouin Director, Hudson Institute, Canada

About the Author

IRVING LEVESON, a business consultant in Marlboro, New Jersey, was previously Senior Vice President and Director of Research at Hudson Strategy Group, and Director of Economic Studies at Hudson Institute. He is the author and editor of several books and monographs on business, economic and social issues.