First published 2009
The economic collapse marks the end of one American era, but not the end of America itself. Kurt Andersen examines how financial crisis intersects with multiple historical cycles that typically shift independently. America oscillates between speculative excess and disciplined work, between economic expansion and contraction, between conservative and liberal politics. Rarely do all these cycles pivot together. The current moment represents such a convergence. Economic shock forces individuals to abandon comfortable assumptions and focus on authentic sources of happiness. Social upheaval allows consolidation of recent progress in technology, crime reduction, civil rights, and global democracy. The crisis enables a return to realism and pragmatism in policy. Americans can now rebuild failing systems in healthcare, education, and environmental protection while recovering traditional values. Andersen traces how the nation has navigated similar transformations before and demonstrates why this reset will succeed.
Genres: american, politics, economics, non-fiction, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-analysis, social-commentary
Period: 21st Century
74 pages · Hardcover · Random House