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 enlarge | Author: Robert B. Reich
Publisher: Knopf
Category: Book
List Price: $25.00
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Rating:  58 reviews
Sales Rank: 33433
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.2
ISBN: 0307265617
Dewey Decimal Number: 320.97301
EAN: 9780307265616
ASIN: 0307265617
Publication Date: September 4, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Comprehensive January 21, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I dedicated last year to learning more about the economy and globalization. And I swore I wouldn't pick up any more economy related books. But I already fell into the trap with Supercapitalism. Robert Reich wrote an amazing book on the macro-level ins and outs of capitalism's history in America. This book is really, really good. And not boring or complicated like most other books with the economy as their subject. His chapter entitled Of Two Minds is worth the price of the book (or my drive to the library). In that chapter he basically writes about how we want cheap prices as consumers and investors but simultaneously want our values and rights as citizens upheld. But for the most part, this is almost impossible to balance. Because we want the best of both worlds. And the problem with injustice in the world as it relates to globalization is not with the big companies (although they play a role), but in our lack of a voice as citizens and our insatiable desire to buy and consume at alarming rates. Great, great stuff. I have excerpts posted here and here. But I definitely recommend this book because of it's easy-to-read nature and connecting the dots on all of these big issues.
You Don't Have to Be An Economist: Reich's Take on U.S. Economics and Political Impact January 2, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Reich writes a highly readable book on how America has changed from major corporation to a global economy that through the power of diversity, many more investors, has broken up the once large and few powerful corporations that effected prices and wages with stability and jobs to more competitive markets that drive prices down through cheaper labor, primarily overseas, that costs jobs but brings more money back to the investor essentially creating a very sad cycle. Reich explains it all well in pretty straight forward terms, thus you don't have to be an economist to understand his broad points and he fills the book with excellent examples. One of the most ironic points he makes is about Walmart. Walmart accomplishes its goal of providing a broad collect of cheap goods to the consumer, made in China, but the people that are the biggest buyers at Walmart are many of the same people who have or will lose jobs because those jobs are going overseas. Another interesting point Reich makes is that we have to see corporations not as people doing good deeds here and there but corporate machines that just want to make money and good will is only convenient if they can make a buck, thus laws made by people must control the excesses and make companies responsible, thus democracy thrives when individuals combat lobbyists to reign in destructive corporate practices that sometimes by pass even the investors to allow board members aristocratic control of company profits. Another great example, BP's failure to inspect its branch pipelines that cause huge oil releases in the environment. What caused that? The answer is profit motivated, BP only inspected the main pipeline artery, not the branches, because only the main artery was legally required, so they did the minimum. My only criticism is that I wish the "how to fix it" end chapter had a bit more depth. But you will also get a whiff of Enron, WorldCom, Arthur Anderson and more. You think those guys made money? Wait until you read how much a hedge fund portfolio manager makes! It is astonishing.
A surprising readable book on economics December 28, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Many conservatives shy away from Robert Reich's writings for no better reason than that he served in the Clinton administration. Although there are some liberal social suggestions made, they are rare and distinctly noted by the author. As an economic overview, this is the most readable book on the subject that I have ever read. There is enough depth for those interested in economics, yet it also manages to be general enough for those simply looking for an overview. If the reader honestly wants to consider the direction of the country, this is an excellent read. For those only interested in supporting their presuppositions, be they liberal or conservative, Reich presents many obstacles.
Supercapitalism December 26, 2007
This excellent book ties in economic theory with practical outcomes. It describes the way the corporate world has taken over our politics, our economics, our environment and our society in the singular name of profits. How and why corporations dominate everything we eat, breath, drink or know. It even suggests a remedy, which, of course, would be difficult to implement but certainly worth thinking about and spreading around. Change will only come if we develop the political will to make it happen.
Dorothy Green
 Very Short Shrift Indeed December 16, 2007
8 out of 33 found this review helpful
Well written and a disarmingly easy read, it is the predictable indictment of the usual suspects, starting on page one by linking Milton Friedman with Pinochet's brutal regime; and while Mr Reich may grant that Ronald Reagan may not exactly have been Anti-Christ, the movement he supposedly embodied is definitely another matter entirely. It has the predictable paeans, to such as John Kenneth Galbraith (a fellow academic) and Walter Reuther (pleading guilty to being a Socialist), with a slightly discernable retrospect to the security of Joe Stalin's Five Year Plans. There are the usual charts and graphs, with the predictable conclusions, that bring to mind Disraeli's comment about lies and statistics. Presumably, all of this passes for scholarly work at UC Berkeley. The 272 pages spread through six chapters makes it clear by example, if not be explicit definition, that the book's title is all due to us, our greedy and uncaring and selfish selves, and all we need to become enlightened is to follow the precepts of the usual things by the anointed, and whether they be Demlicans or Republicrats or modest academics, we all know who they are. There is nothing new in this book, other than the fear of freedom and responsibility being described with a bit more urgency. The various political fringes will warmly admire or roundly denounce this book and its declarations, depending on their interests, while everyone else can safely ignore it.
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