{"product_id":"the-united-states-since-1980-clear-account-of-reaganisms-legacy","title":"The United States since 1980 - Clear Account of Reaganism's Legacy","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The United States since 1980, the reviewer finds a focused, evidence-driven account aimed at readers who want to understand the political and economic realignment that followed Ronald Reagan's election. Dean Baker lays out a concise thesis: policies beginning in 1980 marked a decisive shift in the direction of US economic policy, producing upward redistribution and a divergence from other wealthy countries. This book is best for readers seeking a critical, policy-centered narrative rather than a broad political memoir or pure academic treatise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClear thesis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Presents a single, consistent argument that the Reagan era represented a fundamental break in US economic policy, making the consequences easy to follow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComparative perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explains how US policy choices contrasted with those of other wealthy countries, helping readers grasp what made the US path distinctive.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on redistribution:\u003c\/strong\u003e Traces how policies redistributed income upward before and after taxes, clarifying mechanisms behind growing inequality.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolitical continuity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Documents how both major parties came to accept key Reagan-era tenets, showing the long-term political effects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvocative analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Challenges common assumptions about post-1980 policy as merely incremental, encouraging debate and further reading.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is well suited to readers interested in \u003cstrong\u003eeconomic policy\u003c\/strong\u003e, public affairs, or contemporary political history who want a compact, argument-driven account of how the United States' economic direction changed after 1980. Policy students, journalists, and informed citizens will find the comparative framing and focus on distribution particularly useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose seeking an exhaustive academic textbook or a partisan polemic may want to look elsewhere: the work is interpretive and aimed at explaining a policy shift, not cataloging every legislative detail or offering a balanced anthology of opposing viewpoints.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConcise, coherent thesis that makes the argument accessible to non-specialists interested in public policy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUseful comparative context showing how US choices diverged from other wealthy nations, which sharpens the book's conclusions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFocus on redistribution helps readers connect policy changes to real economic outcomes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLimited scope: the book emphasizes a single interpretive line and does not serve as a comprehensive legislative history or exhaustive empirical compendium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe United States since 1980\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubtitle \/ Series\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe World Since 1980\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDean Baker\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUS economic policy and political change since 1980\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRedistribution and policy divergence from other wealthy countries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePerspective\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCritical, policy-oriented analysis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe United States since 1980 is a focused, persuasive book for readers who want a clear explanation of how Reagan-era policies reshaped American economic outcomes and political consensus. Its value lies in a tight argument and comparative context, making it a worthwhile read for policy-minded audiences even if those seeking exhaustive detail will need complementary sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book argue that Reagan-era policies caused inequality?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; the book argues those policies redistributed income upward and were a significant factor in economic gains accruing to a small segment of the population.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this an academic text or a popular history?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt reads as a policy-focused, interpretive book accessible to general readers interested in public affairs rather than a dense academic tome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho should read this first?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStart with this book if you want a concise, comparative account of US policy shifts since 1980 and their distributional effects.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dean Baker","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48189886595291,"sku":"0521860172","price":69.63,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/717jD7wCY6L._SL1360.jpg?v=1769396368","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-united-states-since-1980-clear-account-of-reaganisms-legacy","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}