American Amnesia

How the War on Government Led Us to Forget What Made America Rich

By: Jacob S. Hacker, Paul Pierson

Narrated by: Holter Graham

A “provocative” (Kirkus Reviews), timely, and topical work that examines what’s good for American business and what’s good for Americans—and why those interests are misaligned.

In American Amnesia, bestselling political scientists Jacob S. Hacker and Paul Pierson trace the economic and political history of the United States over the last century and show how a viable mixed economy has long been the dominant engine of America’s prosperity. We have largely forgotten this reliance, as many political circles and corporate actors have come to mistakenly see government as a hindrance rather than the propeller it once was. “American Amnesia” is more than a rhetorical phrase; elites have literally forgotten, or at least forgotten to talk about, the essential role of public authority in achieving big positive-sum bargains in advanced societies.

The mixed economy was the most important social innovation of the twentieth century. It spread a previously unimaginable level of broad prosperity. It enabled steep increases in education, health, longevity, and economic security. And yet, extraordinarily, it is anathema to many current economic and political elites. Looking at this record of remarkable accomplishment, they recoil in horror. And as the advocates of anti-government free market fundamentalist have gained power, they are hell-bent on scrapping the instrument of nearly a century of unprecedented economic and social progress. In the American Amnesia, Hacker and Pierson explain the full “story of how government helped make America great, how the enthusiasm for bashing government is behind its current malaise, and how a return to effective government is the answer the nation is looking for” (The New York Times).

Great Reading for Informed Citizens

This is a fantastic work on many of the ills plaguing our government while also providing a detailed history of the mixed economy and the prosperity it brought us. I fear that those who really need to read this will casually dismiss its arguments and evidence.

Though the book does rightly focus much of the blame on the GOP and segments of the business community, I deducted one star for not providing more analysis (there is some) on how the political left's leadership mucked up or did not fight against assaults on the deregulation of the economy and government's longstanding role in the mixed economy of our past.

must read for every American

loved it, but I wish this could reach the people who really need to hear it, those who forget what history taught us about business elite and gov't competency.
very well written and informative, particularly relating to the founders and the purpose of empowering a federal system.

Interesting book

American Amnesia provides a level-headed insight into our current U.S. political landscape, with an excellent historic context. Can be a bit of a downer, but there are recommendations at the end for how change could be brought about. Great narration.

our government or lack there of

Koch brother, you should be ashamed of yourselves for taking advantage of a country that has given you so much.

Excellent history

This book is an excellent history of the role of government in 20th century US economy. Makes the case that markets do not operate effectively on a modern economy without the oversight and control of government regulations . And that since the 1980s government regulation has been the constant target of right wing attacks, and has had no
vocal defenders. And this has harmed our nation and our economy.