The Conscience of a Liberal - Paul Krugman

With this major new volume, Paul Krugman, today's most widely read economist, studies the past eighty years of American history, from the reforms that tamed the harsh inequality of the Gilded Age to the unraveling of that achievement and the reemergence of immense economic and political inequality since the 1970s. Seeking to understand both what happened to middle-class America and what it will take to achieve a "new New Deal," Krugman has created his finest book to date, a work that weaves together a nuanced account of three generations of history with sharp political, social, and economic analysis. This book, written with Krugman's trademark ability to explain complex issues simply, will transform the debate about American social policy in much the same way as did John Kenneth Galbraith's deeply influential book, The Affluent Society.

Published: 2007-09-17 (W. W. Norton Company)

ISBN: 9780393060690

Language: English

Format: Hardcover, 296 pages

Goodreads' rating: -

Genres

Politics Economics History Philosophy Nonfiction

Reviews

Aloysius rated it

Paul Krugman is, hands down, the most thoughtful and reasonable economist I have ever read. He just won the Nobel Prize in Economics but that is not what makes him readable. He has written a LOT and many of the things he has written are, and are intended to be, quite accessible to the general audience. He also writes an Op-Ed for the New York Times.He has convinced me that Barack Obama should draft him to give advice on the economic catastrophe. He has written extensively on The Great Depression and predicted almost exactly what is happening now.I have been doing everything I can to get the two of them together (if they are not already together). If anybody who might read this knows a way to play "six degrees of separation" better than I do, I would love the help!

Jamesy rated it

This book gave me history and ideology on progressive / liberal thinkers such as myself. Krugman is a Nobel Prize winning Princeton economics professor. He addresses the differences between the parties and why movement conservatism has become an institution for the elite. Therefore the income gap has grown to unprecedented proportions. Conscience of a Liberal is inspiring and hopeful. Krugman outlines excellent arguments in favor of universal healthcare and other progressive issues. It is fascinating commentary on current politics and provides the argument on why we need progressive change in America.

Tonya rated it

Krugman already has one Nobel (for economics); he should get another for writing about economic policy in a way that's actually easy to understand and enjoyable! In this surprisingly fast read he explains--among other things--the fundamental goals of "movement conservatism," the historical context of FDR's era and the New Deal, and the worsening social inequality that has been going on for the last few decades. It's refreshing to hear intelligent arguments backed up with data, though Krugman doesn't go over the top with with statistics etc (rightly so IMHO since this is meant for the lay public). Though Krugman's left-of-center beliefs clearly come across, I think people from all political backgrounds should be able to appreciate his evidence-based conclusions and recommendations.