The Rise And Fall Of American Growth

The U.S. Standard of Living since the Civil War

Robert J. Gordon

Book Synopsis

"The Rise and Fall of American Growth" by Robert J. Gordon offers a comprehensive analysis of the history, drivers, and consequences of economic growth in the United States. Spanning over a century, Gordon examines the factors behind the remarkable growth experienced during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, followed by a stark decline in recent decades.

Through meticulous research and data-driven insights, Gordon traces the key drivers of American growth, such as the Industrial Revolution, mass production, technological advancements, and widespread innovation. He delves into the profound impact of these developments on various aspects of society, including living standards, productivity, and overall well-being.

Challenging the notion of perpetual progress, Gordon provides a compelling argument for why the United States may have witnessed a slowdown in economic growth since the mid-20th century. He highlights factors such as diminishing returns from technological progress, rising inequality, demographic shifts, and mounting environmental challenges as significant obstacles to sustained growth.

In addition to analyzing the causes of this decline, Gordon also explores its implications for future generations. He discusses the potential consequences of slower growth on income inequality, social mobility, and the overall socio-economic landscape, urging policymakers to consider these challenges when formulating long-term strategies.

"The Rise and Fall of American Growth" is an engrossing and thought-provoking examination of the trajectory of economic growth in the United States. Bringing together historical analysis, economic theory, and social commentary, this book offers a nuanced perspective on the complex forces shaping America's economic future. It serves as a vital resource for academics, economists, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the past, present, and potential future of American prosperity.

Explore More Books

See All
Rage Becomes Her
Infrastructure
It's Garry Shandling's Book
Entangled Life
The Signal and the Noise
Nourishing Traditions
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Think Twice
A Mathematician's Lament
Writing My Wrongs
Mindset
The Power Of Productivity
Call Me by Your Name
The Fish That Ate The Whale
World Order
State of Fear
Animal Farm
Painting and Experience in Fifteenth-Century Italy
Energy And Civilization
Why We Sleep
The Godfather
Shadow Divers
Snow Crash
The Trap
Scale
Fahrenheit 451
A Whole New Mind
Models. Behaving. Badly.
The Death and Life of Great American Cities
Charlie Munger
How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia
Stress Test
Growth
Ford vs. Ferrari
Putin's Kleptocracy
Leapfrog
Dopamine Detox
Interventions
The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need
Tools of Titans
The Dovekeepers
Deep Value
How Innovation Works
Outliers
Poor Economics
The Third Chimpanzee
Plagues and Peoples
The Power of Positive Thinking
The Biggest Con
A Walk in the Woods
The Inflamed Mind
Olives
Bad For You
Behind the Cloud
The Blazing World
United States of Socialism
Moorish Spain
Fallen Dragon
Slow Horses
On Wings of Eagles
Out of the Crisis
Acid Test
The Vision of the Annointed
Fertility Pastures
The AI Revolution in Medicine
Catherine the Great
Road to Wigan Pier
Fall; or, Dodge in Hell
A Spy Among Friends
The Boys Vol. 1
The Discovery of France
The Wisdom of Crowds
Work Hard. Be Nice.
Dog Man
Talent Is Overrated
Frames of Mind
The Book of Awakening
Applied Minds
The Second World War
The Gospel of Wealth
Bitcoin
American Lion
Deep Work
Under Saturn's Shadow
Who
The Master Plan
Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar
The Making of a Philosopher
Globalizing Capital
The Viral Storm
Plants of the Gods
Experimental Man
In Pursuit of the Common Good
An Elegant Defense
Molecular Biology of the Cell
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt
Calm Your Mind with Food
The Choice
The Survivor
Washington