America and the Art of the Possible: Restoring National Vitality in an Age of Decay

(Hardback)

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Between 1920 and 1950, America saw an unprecedented expansion of wealth and power underwritten by technological innovation, cultural confidence, and victory in war. American elites won World War II, rebuilt the world order with America at its head, inaugurated the jet age, and put a man on the moon. The boom led to a larger, richer middle class that confirmed Americas best ideals.

By the early 1970s, that ended. American elites have captured a disproportionate share of the social and economic rewards over the last fifty years. Meanwhile, the middle class has shrunk in size and has become economically insecure, owning a smaller share of national wealth than at any time in the nations history. This has happened even while most households have two income earners, versus the single-income households that characterized the period of shared prosperity. At the same time, technological innovation that improves peoples standard of living has dramatically slowed.

These trends undermine the basic premise behind the broad acceptance of a meritocratic elite, whose rule is predicated on the belief that if the best rise to the top, their talent and energy will create a rising tide that lifts all boats. We had that once. We can have it again.

Reviews

Chris Buskirk attributes Americas current stagnation to elite credentialed professionals and their almost un-American creed of equivocate, downsize, and cancel. In short, he argues the country can be saved only by unorthodox mavericks who question, stir, experiment, and riskand reject our current upside-down values. Unlike many critiques of ascleroticAmerica, this one offersconcrete proposals for how to stop the decline by encouraging and honoring the kind of unorthodox people and policies that have alwaysrescuedthe country in the past.Ahistorically sourced and much-needed manual for national renewal.

Victor Davis Hanson, The Hoover Institution, Stanford University, and author ofThe Dying Citizen

In this brilliant book, Chris Buskirk argues that America has become a stagnant society, with no national self-confidence or ability to deliver better lives for its people. But he does more than diagnose. He offers concrete ideas for how to recapture our vitality. I suspect this book will influence American politics for decades. Our leaders would do well to absorb its message and arguments.

Senator J. D. Vance, author ofHillbilly Elegyand founder of Narya Capital

Author Bio

Chris Buskirk is the publisher and editor of American Greatness. He is a contributing opinion writer for theNew York Times. He has written for theWashington Post, The Spectator, USA Today, The Hill, The New Criterion, and other publications. He is a frequent contributor to Fox News, NPRs Morning Edition, and the PBS Newshour. Chris is a sought after speaker and has spoken recently at the Aspen Ideas Festival and to other groups around the country. He is the author of the book, Trump vs. The Leviathan and the co-author of American Greatness: How Conservatism, Inc. Missed the 2016 Election & What the Establishment Needs to Learn. Chris is a serial entrepreneur who has built and sold businesses in financial services. He received his B.A. from Claremont-McKenna College.