Free E-book On Politics/economics

[Maximius]

Folks, here is a terrific free book available from Dean Baker, a progressive economist whose work I have followed for a year or so.

 

http://www.conservativenannystate.org/

 

If you really want to learn how the U.S. government works to protect the interests of the elite classes both domestically and abroad, this is the book. It's very accessible to the general reader but provides +tons+ of juicy facts and figures to make the case.

 

The title comes from a statement made by some conservative politician a few years back who described the federal government as the "nanny state", wanting to treat its citizens as if they were children who needed to be spoon fed and led about by the hand. U.S.ers are constantly being warned by conservative politicians ( and more than a few liberal ones) about the dangers of big government taking over their lives, taxing them to death, constricting their liberty. Baker makes the case that in fact the elites love the nanny state, when it is protecting outdated copyright and trademark law or intentionally keeping labors income levels suppressed. Its when big government tries to regulate private wealth and power or tries to promote public services versus private exploitation that the cries of "Big Brother!" are heard. What is especially interesting is that Baker not only criticizes the conservative nanny state but goes on to propose alternatives. One example is in the area of trademark/copyright law. He calls such things throwbacks to the medieval guild era and describes an alternate system that would allow artists/designers/creators to profit from their work while disposing of the trade/copy system that actually stifles competition and protects inflated proce levels.

[demagogue]

Sounds like a good one ... I'm always in the market for free books.

Nanny state, cute, but I also like how the Economist (the mag) uses the term "soft paternalism" here with a scowling frowny face.

The double-standard idea isn't one I've seen developed much, so it would be good to see his take on it.

Anyway, this all seems associated with my LLM work on State risk regulation, so should look through it when I get the chance. Thanks.

Edited May 23, 2006 by demagogue

[Maximius]

Sounds like a good one ... I'm always in the market for free books.

Nanny state, cute, but I also like how the Economist (the mag) uses the term "soft paternalism" here with a scowling frowny face.

The double-standard idea isn't one I've seen developed much, so it would be see his take on it.

Anyway, this all seems associated with my LLM work on State risk regulation, so should look through it when I get the chance. Thanks.

 

 

NP Hey if you still want those Feynman tapes, maybe we could get a file sharing program and use it to transfer them. I dont use them myself, too much crap, but it would work for a few transfers.