Time to Start Thinking

Review This is as good a diagnosis of America's failings as you will get ― Sunday Times Product Description On its present course, the US faces a world of rising new countries that will compete with it ever more fiecely as its own power is declining. In order to slow and improve this steady leakage of power, the US must change course internationally, economically and domestically. It must also restructure to remain the world's most competitive economy. And it must address quality of life issues and fairness at home. But American politics is broken - competing forces and interests have led to stasis. With change so tough, where now for a country where the middle classes are suffering as they have never suffered before, the pensions crisis is growing, the deficit out of sight, and radicalism waiting in the wings? Book Description The age of American global dominance is over. This brilliant new book from one of the FT's most senior writers shows how it ended and where the US needs to turn to prevent the crisis from deepening further. From the Back Cover 'Not only a wonderful tapestry of the current state of America, it provides a deeply insightful narrative of the origins of our current economic and political malaise' Liaquat Ahamed, author of Lords of Finance America is a nation in long-term economic and geopolitical decline, and in this incisive and highly engaging book, Edward Luce looks at why, and where the country can go from here. Drawing on interviews with business and political leaders, from Bill Gates to ex-Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, as well as ordinary teachers and workers, and covering areas from education and healthcare to politics, business and innovation, Luce delivers a brilliant analysis of the world's sole remaining superpower.'Ranges far and wide . . . Luce has spoken to a terrific array of characters . . . Best of all are his vivid portraits of Americans struggling to get by' Mark Damazer, Financial Times 'A carefully balanced and often startlingly evocative analysis' John Gray, Observer 'Sober, clever, measured . . . What is so impressive about Luce's diagnosis of American decline is the quiet, methodical compilation of damning facts . . . At the heart is the story of a nation that, fattened by affluence, fell for its own propaganda' Dominic Sandbrook, Literary Review About the Author Edward Luce is a graduate from Oxford University in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He worked as a speech writer for the treasury secretary in the Clinton administration, worked as the South Asia bureau chief for the Financial Times and is based in Washington DC as the Financial Times Washington columnist and commentator.