Bibliograph

The complacent class, the self-defeating quest for the American dream, Tyler Cowen

Type

Label

The complacent class, the self-defeating quest for the American dream, Tyler Cowen

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 217-231) and index

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The complacent class

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

967557997

Responsibility statement

Tyler Cowen

Sub title

the self-defeating quest for the American dream

Summary

Since Alexis de Tocqueville, restlessness has been accepted as a signature American trait. Our willingness to move, take risks, and adapt to change have produced a dynamic economy and a tradition of innovation from Ben Franklin to Steve Jobs. The problem, according to legendary blogger, economist and best selling author Tyler Cowen, is that Americans today have broken from this tradition—we’re working harder than ever to avoid change. We're moving residences less, marrying people more like ourselves and choosing our music and our mates based on algorithms that wall us off from anything that might be too new or too different. But, according to Cowen, there are significant collateral downsides attending this comfort, among them heightened inequality and segregation and decreased incentives to innovate and create

Table Of Contents

The complacent class and its dangers -- Why have Americans stopped moving, or, Is your hometown really so special? -- The reemergence of segregation -- Why Americans stopped creating -- The respite of the well-ordered match: love, music, and even your dog -- Why Americans stopped rioting and legalized marijuana -- How a dynamic society looks and feels -- Political stagnation, the dwindling of true democracy, and Alexis de Tocqueville as prophet of our time -- The return of chaos, and why the complacent class cannot hold

Classification