47 mins read

The U.S.—Decline or Renewal?

Examines areas which have been cited by ‘declinist’ writers as causes of the US economic, and hence national, decline, in particular (1) deficits (2) declining shares (3) ‘systemic’ failures. Highly critical of the arguments propounded by Paul Kennedy, counters that the real source of any nation’s decline — ‘internal stagnation’ — is something from which America is not suffering. Economic or military power are not the only determinants of national power, and so decline cannot be seen against a purely economic background. Concludes that although US predominance in world affairs is not so secure as it was, “the ultimate test of a great power is in its ability to renew its power”. Director, Center for International Affairs, Harvard University.

19 mins read

Equality and American Democracy

The U.S. Founders thought liberty and equality went together, but by the mid-twentieth century, most Americans thought of them as competing values. Thought of properly, they’re not. Redressing inequality today, however, will require bringing politics back in the equation, since political choices set the rules and help determine the outcomes of the economic game.