First published 1988
America stands at a crossroads. The nation's cherished stories about itself no longer match the realities of a world where economic power shifts across borders daily. Robert Reich, a Harvard political economist, dismantles the comfortable myths that once defined American identity. He shows how outdated cultural narratives now threaten the country's ability to compete in an interconnected global marketplace. Reich argues that Americans cling to self-definitions rooted in an earlier era, when the United States could dominate through sheer economic might. Those days have ended. New competitors have emerged. Old assumptions about work, success, and national purpose must give way to fresh thinking. The book examines which cultural beliefs help nations thrive and which ones become dangerous burdens. Reich contends that America can maintain its leadership position, but only if citizens abandon comforting illusions about their place in the world. The choice is stark: adapt or decline.
Genres: business, american, political-science, economics, non-fiction, 21st-century, academic, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-critique, social-commentary
Setting: America, United States
Period: 21st Century
290 pages · Paperback · Vintage