The Price Of Civilization: Reawakening American Virtue And Prosperity (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
When I first started reading this book someone told me that it was a good bookend that went with Galbraith 's " Affluent Society". I had read that book when I was in the Army 1969-1971....so I went back and re-read that book and returned to Sachs " The Price of Civilization"...The person was right. If Gailbraith's writings were a warning of was to be...Sachs presentation is of what has happened..will happen..and the consequences of not stopping the craziness. We are all guilty..some more than others. Galbraith's "Want Machine" courtesy of continous advertising on TV/papers/Radio where companies create a need to make the public want something in concert with Sachs' endless " Addiction" to everything around spell a very dark and dreary event. With this ...the methodology of governance which we function under by way of corporate clinches of Americana is both illuminating and Disturbing. Illuminating because he writes in such a way that one can't help but see what is being viewed. His anecdotes are just so precious. Such as when he writes of a congresswoman' s frustration of how the government's working is imperiled by putting her hands over her face and saying " The Lobbies... The Lobbies ." is akin to the character in Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" stating " The Horror...The Horror " goes a long way In showing the broken downers of government as we know it....Its' all there. When your driving around on streets that are bumpy and broken down.....the political and economic infrastructure is not functioning as it supposed to...you read why in this book. It is an alarming book. I just wish I could convince more people to read it........Ronnie. Ugh! I enjoyed ~1/2 the book, the other half "In My Opinion" is crap! Previously listening to Ayn Rand and her teachings, the first half of this book felt like a dedication to giving back to the poor just, well because we should and they're poor, not working to improve themselves or because they feel entitled. Crap Crap Crap. It was at this point that I had to set this book aside. I talked with a buddy of mine who said, hey, give it a chance, maybe the author has something good to say later on. Ugh, ok, I trudged on. Somewhere around CD 4 or 5 (I do audio books with a long commute), I actually started to hear an argument around taxation, distribution, education, debt and some various other topics that I had to side with the author on. There were a lot of facts I had not heard before and some scary shit to be aware of looking at where America is currently heading. From a macro econ side, 18% of GDP when we need 24% to fund the programs that could bring up the education and job prospects of our economy is a valid argument. I also tended to side with the Authors argument that the government programs, subsidies, and other things that are in the media are just showmanship and provide no real change. I see this as a reminder of why I'd love to run for an office some day, even if it's the local mayorship. It we truly could put the funds back into the states and distribute accordingly, what a difference we could make.The summation though brought me back to the first set of disagreements. You have a great macro econ plan, one that for a time lifts Americans from the levels they are now and prepares us for the future. I'd rank this a 3 based on the facts and arguments for GDP changes, and some of the macro concepts suggested. I can't rank this higher because I totally disagree with your approach to the poor through entitlements. Sorry, it may make sense for some, but they money could sure be used in better areas.
What do You think about The Price Of Civilization: Reawakening American Virtue And Prosperity (2011)?
having finished this book I would recommend "handmaking amercia" by bill ivey as a follow-up read!
—camila92
A thoughtful look at what's broken in our society and how to fix it. Highly recommend it.
—Meganne
A very thought-provoking read. I highly recommend it, especially to my fellow millenials.
—miamusic
Must-read for anyone wanting a primer on the US economy.
—Mariettec
This book actually made me want to pay taxes.
—julieta
