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Rating: 
Summary: The only answer to the dilemma of being the lone super power
Review: Hutton puts in perspective the economic history of the world since WWII. How did America become to so dominate the planet in this half century? Why now that we stand victorious astride the world's economy do we feel isolated, alone, and vulnerable? Can Americans rejoin the human race?
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Summary: Outstanding, Hutton should be president of Europe
Review: In the onslaught of US inspired conservative values and against a backdrop of ever more mediocre and uninspired media noise, this book serves as sober and enlightened analysis of the merits and strenghts of the European social democratic value system and its economic achievements.
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Summary: The Benefit of an Outside Observer
Review: This is a revealing examination of the American system by an outside observer who is not bogged down by native ideologies. Hutton is also a solid liberal in the European tradition, and in the process he delivers a very solid manifesto of modern liberal theory, of the type that American left wingers have been far too chicken to utter for a long time. Hutton shows us that American liberalism is currently so weak because of the consolidation of power by the new American conservatism, and its prohibition of all opposing viewpoints through empty patriotism and ideological extremism that is increasingly divorced from reality.Hutton outlines the social and political effects of the modern conservatism, and things aren't looking too good in America from the European standpoint. The social safety net is being dismantled as everything remotely "public" is inaccurately condemned as socialist big government; while economically, long-term prosperity and innovation are disappearing under the rush for short-term profits and pressure from Wall Street to follow unproven "efficient market" ideologies. Hutton also includes interesting examinations of how the European system, based on far greater amounts of social goodwill and assistance than the US, has plenty of its own strengths that can benefit both Europe and the US in the long run. Europe's strengths should not be swamped by political and economic pressure from America to adopt the current conservatism The only problems with this book are Hutton's rather repetitive and verbose writing, especially his habit of rattling off long lists of social and economic problems that give the impression that he is trying to boost his own nation's image. Hutton's proposed solutions to the dire long-term problems being engendered by unyielding conservatism are solid, but they are long-term only and he offers no answers for how political transitions can be made realistically. But this book is still an excellent example of how an outside observer can point out problems and weaknesses in the American system that we are unlikely to admit to ourselves, and a solid compendium of liberal theory. [~doomsdayer520~]
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