The World We're In

by Will Hutton

A wake-up call to Britain, and the global economyTHE STATE WE'RE IN, Will Hutton's explosive analysis of British society, was the biggest selling politico-economic work since the Second World War. Now, as the world realigns itself in the wake of September 11, Hutton turns his attention to the global picture, and the ways in which the new world should be ordered.To understand the global economy, Hutton argues, one must first understand the United States where, over the past 30 years, the forces of conservatism have achieved such supremacy as to reduce liberalism to a term of abuse. The results have been America is a weaker, fragmented society, and its economic strenths are oversold and misunderstood.But Britain and Europe are our attitudes towards property, equality, social solidarity and the public realm are strikingly distinct from Amerrica's current conservative leanings. Europe should not be afraid to stand up against the American version of globalisation, and champion the cause of a reinvigorated international society - taking over the mantle now abandoned by the US.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Economics

432 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Eric]

Quite enjoyed this. This book explains to the Brits why they are more European than American (shared history => shared core values). Has a pretty scathing attack on American conservatism, deplores its becoming the new global common-sense.

The danger with books like these is that they reinforce beliefs I already have (uh-oh, echo chamber), which lulls me into a sense of intellectual security. It would be good to hear from some thinking American conservatives what they make of this book.

Another issue is that I keep forgetting all the nice arguments that are made in this book. I'm sure I've lost of what I've read. I'm just left with a feeling of "rah, rah Europe", where if pressed, I could stammer out some incoherent mishmash of "social contract" and "long term thinking".

[Coffee & books · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aged like milk.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read especially since it was written Pre Brexit!