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    The Zero-Sum Society: Distribution and the Possibilities for Economic Change
  2. Africa in Chaos
    Africa in Chaos
  3. The Classical Theory of Economic Growth
    The Classical Theory of Economic Growth
  4. Globalization, Economic Development and the Role of the State
    Globalization, Economic Development and the Role of the State
  5. Handbook of Key Economic Indicators
    Handbook of Key Economic Indicators
  6. Canadian Economic History
    Canadian Economic History
  7. A Kinder and Gentler Tyranny: Illusions of a New World Order
    A Kinder and Gentler Tyranny: Illusions of a New World Order
  8. The Political Economy of Underdevelopment (Modern Cambridge Economics Series)
    The Political Economy of Underdevelopment (Modern Cambridge Economics Series)
  9. The State of Working America, Nineteen Ninety Two-Nineteen Ninety Three (State of Working America)
    The State of Working America, Nineteen Ninety Two-Nineteen Ninety Three (State of Working America)
  10. Capital Account : A Fund Manager Reports on a Turbulent Decade (1993-2002)
    Capital Account : A Fund Manager Reports on a Turbulent Decade (1993-2002)
  11. Culture Matters How Values Shape Human Progress
    Culture Matters How Values Shape Human Progress
  12. A Town Abandoned: Flint, Michigan, Confronts Deindustrialization (Suny Series in Popular Culture and Political Change)
    A Town Abandoned: Flint, Michigan, Confronts Deindustrialization (Suny Series in Popular Culture and Political Change)
  13. Meritocracy and Economic Inequality
    Meritocracy and Economic Inequality
  14. Devil and Commodity Fetishism in South America
    Devil and Commodity Fetishism in South America
  15. Who Pays for the Kids?: Gender and the Structures of Constraint (Economics As Social Theory)
    Who Pays for the Kids?: Gender and the Structures of Constraint (Economics As Social Theory)
  16. Inside the Minds: The Automotive Industry - Senior Executives from Ford, Honda, J.D. Power & More Share Their Knowledge on the Future of the Automotive World
    Inside the Minds: The Automotive Industry - Senior Executives from Ford, Honda, J.D. Power & More Share Their Knowledge on the Future of the Automotive World
  17. The Brazilian Economy : Growth and Development 5th Edition
    The Brazilian Economy : Growth and Development 5th Edition
  18. America's Trillion Dollar Housing Mistake: The Failure of American Housing Policy
    America's Trillion Dollar Housing Mistake: The Failure of American Housing Policy
  19. Modern Political Economy and Latin America: Theory and Policy
    Modern Political Economy and Latin America: Theory and Policy
  20. Kentucky: Land of Tomorrow
    Kentucky: Land of Tomorrow
  21. Mad Money : When Markets Outgrow Governments
    Mad Money : When Markets Outgrow Governments
  22. American Economic History (6th Edition)
    American Economic History (6th Edition)
  23. The Economics of Aging : Seventh Edition
    The Economics of Aging : Seventh Edition
  24. Doing Business in 2004: Understanding Regulation
    Doing Business in 2004: Understanding Regulation
  25. Case Studies in Economic Development (2nd Edition)
    Case Studies in Economic Development (2nd Edition)
The Zero-Sum Society: Distribution and the Possibilities for Economic Change
Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
  • An observation
  • Not just wrong... badly wrong.
  • Proven Wrong
  • Eminently Readable, Hardly Revolutionary
 The Zero-Sum Society: Distribution and the Possibilities for Economic Change
Lester C. Thurow
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0465085881
Release Date: 2001-04-10

Book Description

A classic in economics from the three-time New York Times best seller. Written during a period of acute economic stagnation in 1980, The Zero-Sum Society discusses the human implications of economic problem solving. Interpreting macroeconomics as a zero-sum game, Thurow proposes that the American economy will not solve its most trenchant problems-inflation, slow economic growth, the environment-until the political economy can support, in theory and in practice, the idea that certain members of society will have to bear the brunt of taxation and other government-sponsored economic actions. As relevant today as it was twenty years ago, The Zero-Sum Society offers a classic set of recommendations about the best way to balance government stewardship of the economy and the free-market aspirations of upwardly mobile Americans.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars An observation.......2005-03-03

Having worked on Wall Street for 25 years, by and from experience I can assert that ANY economic behavior by any human does entail a marginal error toward/from the misinterpreted phrase "zero sum game.Simply research historic Federal Reserve monetary policy to understand this, let alone structured finance!
Prof. Thurow's point is that the US political economy, its citizens, and those "elites" who make its policy are asymetrically informed. Sooner or later, the US has to restructure its misapplication of redistributing wealth; hence the shock of the 70's, the long-term mess Regan has left; the stock bubble of the mid-90's; the current housing bubble. Another shock a la 1973 and 1978 might redirect this country's "elites'" thinking towards more long-term pragmatic lines.

1 out of 5 stars Not just wrong... badly wrong........2004-06-08

Couldn't agree with the previous review. Even the title is wrong. The economy... any economy is NEVER a zero-sum game. Here is a quote from the author: "Can economic command significantly... accelerate the growth process? The remarkable performance of the Soviet Union suggests that it can... Today the Soviet Union is a country whose economic achievements bear comparison with those of the United States." That was in 1989, JUST BEFORE the Soviet system collapsed. How can anyone be more wrong? Unfortunately, these people teach our kids.

1 out of 5 stars Proven Wrong.......2001-12-29

This book was a sensation when it first appeared in 1980.
But then something unexpected (by Thurow at least) happened. Ronald Reagan was elected President and ignited a period of spectacular economic growth, coupled with low inflation and high employment, that lasted through the next two administrations - thus proving Thurow totally wrong!
Why do publishers keep reprinting books that have been invalidated by history? Why not allow then to sink silently into the dustbin of failed theories where they belong?
As Charlie Chan once said: Theory like mist on eyeglasses. Obscures facts.

3 out of 5 stars Eminently Readable, Hardly Revolutionary.......2000-10-28

This was one of the most readable non-fiction books I've ever come across. It's written in clear effective English and makes its point (mainly through repetition) very well.

Thurow has one basic idea - that the American economy was paralysed in the 1970s because of the variety of groups (upper-class versus lower-class, blacks versus whites, industrial versus agricultural etc.) with conflicting interests that made it impossible for the government to undertake effective policies. As such, this book seems pretty commonsensical and hardly revolutionary nor particularly enlightening. Thurow takes us through the various economic problems that the US faced at the time to show how this is the case.

This problem appears to be the combined flaw of democracy - that people have a say in how the country is run - although he didn't explore that; and capitalism - the doctrine of self-interest. The groups all want to protect themselves. This means that any change will inevitably be vetoed/subject to prolonged protest by at least one group - namely, the group that will have to suffer (by seeing their incomes decline) so that the rest of the economy can benefit. This shows up in the protection of inefficient industries such as steel and textiles, the unwillingness to impose strict income and price controls etc. In effect, the economy will continue to stay stagnant until certain groups are imposed on for the sake of everyone else.

He also makes the interesting case that inflation was not really a problem, backing this up with statistics that show that the average American's standard of living rose; and income differences didn't widen. Rather, it was a matter of perception and psychology.

The Zero-Sum Society - Distribution and the Possibilities For Economic Change
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		The Zero-Sum Society - Distribution and the Possibilities For Economic Change
    Lester C. Thurow
    Manufacturer: Penguin Books
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback
    ASIN: B000HVW4YW
    The Zero-Sum Society Distributions and the Possibilities for Economic Change
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		The Zero-Sum Society Distributions and the Possibilities for Economic Change
      Lester C. Thurow
      Manufacturer: Basic Books, Inc.
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover
      ASIN: B000J0DQ52
      The Zero-Sum Society-Distribution & Possibilities for Econom
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		The Zero-Sum Society-Distribution & Possibilities for Econom
        Lester C. Thurow
        Manufacturer: Basic Bks
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover
        ASIN: B000HZ7XOE
        The Zero-Sum Society: Distribution and the Possibilities for Economic Change
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		The Zero-Sum Society: Distribution and the Possibilities for Economic Change
          Lester C. Thurow
          Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback
          ASIN: B000OJ4G4I

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