First published 1983
Bruce Bartlett finds himself at the center of Washington's economic revolution as supply-side theory gains momentum in the early 1980s. Working within the corridors of power, he watches politicians and advisors debate tax cuts, fiscal policy, and the promise of economic growth through reduced government intervention. Bartlett must navigate competing interests as traditional economists clash with supply-side advocates who believe lower taxes will stimulate enough economic activity to offset revenue losses. The pressure mounts as real-world consequences of theoretical debates affect millions of Americans. Personal relationships strain under ideological differences while Bartlett grapples with the gap between economic theory and political reality. At its heart, this story explores one man's struggle to balance intellectual conviction with practical governance in a system where good intentions often collide with unintended consequences.
Genres: 20th-century, political-science, economics, non-fiction, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, intellectual-conflict
Setting: Washington
Period: 1980s
289 pages · Paperback · Chatham House Pub