American Challenges: Business and Government in the World of the 1990s (Contributions in Political Science)

The American economy and society are undergoing vast transformations, including a renaissance of capitalism, a great wave of technological change, and a restructuring of businesses and industries. A superindustrial society is evolving, and there is a new social cycle that initially offers a greater understanding of problems along with practical means to their solutions. This work addresses the changing state of America's economy and society in its global context, painting a serious but positive portrait of the United States in the next decade. In this context, Irving Leveson carefully explores long term trends and prospects, provides an integrated treatment of issues that are usually examined in discrete fragments, offers a context for planning and decision making, and contributes thorough analyses of specific trends and issues.

The book is structured around three major themes. The first is the need for longer term perspectives in both personal and business affairs; the second focuses on key trends, and the way in which some will be significantly weakened, nullified, or reversed in the 1990s; and the third details the serious business, social, and economic challenges that remain to be dealt with. Leveson charts the transformation of America and the economic conservatism and market orientation that resulted in the renaissance of capitalism, as well as the long cycle upswing of economic restructuring. He then turns to the coming superindustrial society and new social cycle, along with the challenges, opportunities, and problems that the 1990s and the next century will bring. Throughout the work, he offers perspectives on such topics as prospects for corporate restructuring, financial globalization and volatility, health futures, and the relation of business strategy to long cycle evolution. An accompanying appendix provides comparisons of long cycles, and the study concludes with a selected bibliography. This work will be a useful tool for corporate managers and executives, government officials, and policy planners, as well as a valuable resource for courses in economic studies and public policy. It will also be an important addition to the collections of both public and academic libraries.