Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life (Borzoi Books) | 
 enlarge | Author: Robert B. Reich
Publisher: Knopf
Category: Book
List Price: $25.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  41 reviews
Sales Rank: 4452
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.2
ISBN: 0307265617
Dewey Decimal Number: 320.97301
EAN: 9780307265616
ASIN: 0307265617
Publication Date: September 4, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Also Available In:
| • | Paperback - Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life (Vintage) | | • | Audio CD - Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life | | • | Audio Download - Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life (Unabridged) | | • | MP3 CD - Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life | | • | Kindle Edition - Supercapitalism | | • | Audio CD - Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life |
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Product Description
From the greatly admired author of The Work of Nations and The Future of Success, one of America's greatest economic and political thinkers as well as a distinguished public servant in three national administrations, a breakthrough book on the clash between capitalism and democracy.
Mid-twentieth-century capitalism has turned into global capitalism, and global capitalism—turbocharged, Web-based, and able to find and make almost anything just about anywhere—has turned into supercapitalism. But as Robert B. Reich makes clear in this eye-opening book, while supercapitalism is working wonderfully well to enlarge the economic pie, democracy—charged with caring for all citizens—is becoming less and less effective under its influence.
Reich explains how widening inequalities of income and wealth, heightened job insecurity, and the spreading effects of global warming are the logical outcomes of supercapitalism. He shows us why companies, fighting harder than ever to maintain their competitive positions, have become even more deeply involved in politics; and how average citizens, seeking great deals and invested in the stock market to an unprecedented degree, are increasingly loath to stand by their values if it means biting the hands that feed them. He makes clear how the tools traditionally used to temper America's societal problems—fair taxation, well-funded public education, trade unions—have withered as supercapitalism has burgeoned.
Reich sets out a clear course to a vibrant capitalism and a concurrent, equally vibrant democracy. He argues forcefully that the spheres of business and politics must be kept distinct. He calls for an end to the legal fiction that corporations are citizens, as well as the illusion that corporations can be "socially responsible" until laws define social needs. Reich explains why we must stop treating companies as if they were people—and must therefore abolish the corporate income tax and levy it on shareholders instead, hold individuals rather than corporations guilty of criminal conduct, and not expect companies to be "patriotic." For, as Reich says, only people can be citizens, and only citizens should be allowed to participate in democratic decision making.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 36 more reviews...
 Required Reading! April 14, 2008
Robert Reich does an amazing job of explaining what is wrong with the American democracy--the powerful influence of capitalism. He states that companies that so many people hate like Walmart are simply successful players at the capitalist game. The problem is our laws allow them to influence the democratic process. The way to fix this problem is to pass laws, which are the rules to the game. This will get money out of politics and make companies work more for the good of people. The problem is it's in the self interest of the elected officials to keep the money game the way it is since it benefits them personally. What to do...
I think understanding his points is critical to solving the biggest problems we face in America. The problem is too many voters are watching baseball and drinking beer instead of making their elected officals accountable.
reich rules March 29, 2008
great summary of the development of American capitalism as it has changed in the 20th and 21st century. He is very clear and repeats his ideas over and over so you can't miss his logic. Excellent book for those that misunderstand the highly competitive 21st century and how we can't go back to to the almost golden years of capitalism in the middle 20th century
Understanding Your Employer March 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If you puzzle over why your company obsesses over next quarter's sales at the expense of facilitating your long-term career growth, this book is a must-read. If you fail to see why many CEOs are paid more than the President of the United States, check it out. If you wonder why college tuitions keep rising much faster than inflation, Prof. Reich shares your perplexity, but concedes that he doesn't have an answer for this one. (Consider it an exercise for the reader!)
Much of his previous work has been economically or politically partisan, but this book is quite dispassionate. Perhaps you'll agree with the conclusions he draws, and perhaps not, but it will cause you to think about the subject more broadly. And the consequences are important; if he is right, the democracy that we believe we enjoy is at stake.
Provocative, insightful reflections on capitalism February 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Robert Reich, President Bill Clinton's secretary of labor and one of the most provocative public intellectuals in the U.S., unflinchingly explores the transformation of American democratic capitalism into a system of "supercapitalism," in which corporations and the market exercise apparently unbridled power. Reich considers and then discards most, if not all, of the standard leftist explanations for this development. Instead, in a logically coherent analysis, he arrives at some startling but convincing conclusions. For example, arguing that the government should never treat corporations like people, Reich advocates eliminating the corporate income tax. getAbstract recommends this book to anyone who wants to understand today's economics, politics or fiscal events. Although recent legislation attempts to address some of the issues Reich raises, such as the flow of corporate money into political campaigns, his analysis is still relevant.
Supercapitalism February 13, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a must read for anybody interested in seeing how his own life is impacted by the forces of economics. Knowledge is power and this book helped me realize what is going on nowadays in the world economy and how I can conduct my business and my life in a better way.
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