The Common Good

Description

From the bestselling author of Saving Capitalism and The Work of Nations, a passionate, clear-eyed manifesto for recentering our economics and politics on the idea of the common good. In a bracing answer to the prevailing headwinds of division, cynicism, and self-interest, Robert B. Reich makes a powerful case for the expansion of America's moral imagination. Rooting his argument in common sense and everyday reality, he demonstrates that a common good not only exists, but in fact constitutes the very essence of any society or nation. Societies, he says, undergo virtuous cycles that reinforce the common good, as well as vicious cycles that undermine it, one of which America has been experiencing for the past five decades. This process can and must be reversed. But first, we need to weigh the moral obligations of citizenship and carefully consider how we as a country should relate to honor, shame, patriotism, truth, and the meaning of leadership. Powerful, urgent, and utterly vital, this is a heartfelt missive from one of our foremost political thinkers- a fundamental statement about the purpose of society and a cri de coeur to save America's soul.

ROBERT B. REICH is Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. He has served in three national administrations and has written fifteen books, including The Work of Nations, which has been translated into twenty-two languages, and the bestsellers Saving Capitalism, Supercapitalism,and Locked in the Cabinet. His articles have appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. He is co-creator of the award-winning film Inequality for All. He is also chair of the national governing board of Common Cause. He lives in Berkeley and blogs at robertreich.org.

"Against the grain of much liberal thinking . . . Reich's proposals would make a good starting point for a new progressive political project." -Michael J. Sandel, The New York Times Book Review "Very timely . . . Reich's work is an important call for reform that should appeal to a wide audience disaffected with the status quo." -Library Journal (starred review) "Reich's lucidly defining and empowering call for revitalized civic awareness-complete with an enticing list of recommended reading and discussion guide-is an ideal catalyst for book-group conversations." -Booklist "Clear-voiced and accessible." -Publishers Weekly "Brief but well-argued . . . a provocative essay." -Kirkus