First published 2018
Robert Reich examines how America has lost sight of its shared values and collective responsibilities. The economist and former Labor Secretary traces five decades of decline in civic solidarity, showing how individual interests have overtaken communal obligations. Reich identifies the cycles that either strengthen or weaken a society's foundation. He explores fundamental questions about honor, shame, patriotism, and truth in American life. The author connects abstract political theory to daily experiences, demonstrating why citizens must think beyond personal gain. Reich presents both diagnosis and cure for a fractured nation. His argument centers on moral duties that bind Americans together. The book calls for renewed commitment to collective welfare over narrow self-interest. Reich offers a framework for understanding what makes societies thrive or fail.
Genres: american, political-science, politics, social-issues, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: social-change
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
208 pages · Hardcover · Knopf