This work focuses on the economic challenges the American economy has met during the post-World War II era, and on the new challenges--represented notably by the competing economies of Japan, Germany, and the entire European union--that confront it as the twenty-first century approaches. The book shows how the transformations brought about by international competition fit the long-term processes of economic growth and change with respect to structural mutations, technological development, the role of the government, and the evolution of government-business relations. Nicholas Spulber presents a detailed critique of the thesis alleging that the American economy had experienced some kind of decline, and argues that the economy will continue to move forward energetically and successfully if growth and change are primarily left to emerge from the impulses and incentives of the private economy.

Describes and evaluates the views of theorists and practitioners directly involved with four major economic events in American history.

The welfare state is a pervasive and controversial aspect of contemporary society. Samuel Mencher provides a historical and philosophical background on the growth of welfare policy through its sources, concepts, and specific programs. He covers a period from the English Poor Law of the sixteenth century through contemporary times-viewing changing attitudes toward poverty, new concepts on the nature of man and the influence of scientific thought-and also discusses mercantilism, laissez-faire, utilitarianism, liberalism, socialism, romanticism, social Darwinism, and modern capitalism as major influences on the growth of economic security policy.

Publishes in-depth articles on labor subjects, current labor statistics, information about current labor contracts, and book reviews.