
The Common Good
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Narrated by:
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Robert B. Reich
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By:
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Robert B. Reich
About this listen
Robert B. Reich makes a powerful case for the expansion of America’s moral imagination. Rooting his argument in common sense and everyday reality, he demonstrates that a common good constitutes the very essence of any society or nation. Societies, he says, undergo virtuous cycles that reinforce the common good as well as vicious cycles that undermine it, one of which America has been experiencing for the past five decades. This process can and must be reversed. But first we need to weigh the moral obligations of citizenship and carefully consider how we relate to honor, shame, patriotism, truth, and the meaning of leadership.
Powerful, urgent, and utterly vital, this is a heartfelt missive from one of our foremost political thinkers.
©2018 Robert B. Reich (P)2018 Random House AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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- Narrated by: Robert B. Reich
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Overall
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Performance
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From Robert B. Reich, passionate believer in American democracy and public servant, Reason is a guide to confronting and derailing what he sees as the mounting threat to American liberty, prosperity, and security posed by the radical conservatives, Radcons as he calls them.
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The Future of SUCCESS??? Really???
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- Unabridged
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Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The author of 12 acclaimed books, Robert B. Reich is a Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and has served in three national administrations. While many blamed Wall Street for the financial meltdown, Aftershock points a finger at a national economy in which wealth is increasingly concentrated at the top - and where a grasping middle class simply does not have the resources to remain viable.
-
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Very plausible assessment of our economy
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Supercapitalism
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Since the 1970s, and notwithstanding three recessions, the U.S. economy has soared. American capitalism has been a triumph, and it has spread throughout the world. At the same time, argues the former U.S. secretary of labor, Robert B. Reich, the effectiveness of democracy in America has declined. It has grown less responsive to the citizenry, and people are feeling more and more helpless as a result.
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Robert Reich for V.P. (of the U.S.)
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America is undergoing a massive experiment: It is moving, in fits and starts, toward a multiracial democracy, something few societies have ever done. But the prospect of change has sparked an authoritarian backlash that threatens the very foundations of our political system. Why is democracy under assault here, and not in other wealthy, diversifying nations? And what can we do to save it?
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It’s OK to be angry about capitalism. Reflecting on our turbulent times, Senator Bernie Sanders takes on the billionaire class and speaks blunt truths about our country’s failure to address the destructive nature of a system that is fueled by uncontrolled greed and rigidly committed to prioritizing corporate profits over the needs of ordinary Americans.
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The United States, the richest country on earth, has more poverty than any other advanced democracy. Why? Why does this land of plenty allow one in every eight of its children to go without basic necessities, permit scores of its citizens to live and die on the streets, and authorize its corporations to pay poverty wages?
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A testimonial based on facts and witness
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Today’s Republican party is not a “normal” political party in the American tradition. It has become an autocratic movement masquerading as a political party. As Stuart Stevens argues in The Conspiracy to End America, if we look away from that truth, we greatly increase the likelihood that the America we love will slip away, never to return.
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Required Reading
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On Anarchism
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
On Anarchism provides the reasoning behind Noam Chomsky's fearless lifelong questioning of the legitimacy of entrenched power. In these essays, Chomsky redeems one of the most maligned ideologies, anarchism, and places it at the foundation of his political thinking. Chomsky's anarchism is distinctly optimistic and egalitarian. Moreover, it is a living, evolving tradition that is situated in a historical lineage; Chomsky's anarchism emphasizes the power of collective, rather than individualist, action.
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Hit and Miss
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The Deficit Myth
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Stephanie Kelton's brilliant exploration of modern monetary theory (MMT) dramatically changes our understanding of how we can best deal with crucial issues ranging from poverty and inequality to creating jobs, expanding health care coverage, climate change, and building resilient infrastructure. Any ambitious proposal, however, inevitably runs into the buzz saw of how to find the money to pay for it, rooted in myths about deficits that are hobbling us as a country.
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Good core idea, ruined by polemics
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The Tyranny of Merit
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Performance
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The world-renowned philosopher and author of the best-selling Justice explores the central question of our time: What has become of the common good? World-renowned philosopher Michael J. Sandel argues that to overcome the crises that are upending our world, we must rethink the attitudes toward success and failure that have accompanied globalization and rising inequality. Sandel shows the hubris a meritocracy generates among the winners and the harsh judgment it imposes on those left behind, and traces the dire consequences across a wide swath of American life.
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Enlightening
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Critic reviews
"Brief but well-argued...a provocative essay." (Kirkus)
"Reich's lucidly defining and empowering call for revitalized civic awareness - complete with an enticing list of recommended reading and discussion guide - is an ideal catalyst for book-group conversations." (Booklist)
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The author of 12 acclaimed books, Robert B. Reich is a Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and has served in three national administrations. While many blamed Wall Street for the financial meltdown, Aftershock points a finger at a national economy in which wealth is increasingly concentrated at the top - and where a grasping middle class simply does not have the resources to remain viable.
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Since the 1970s, and notwithstanding three recessions, the U.S. economy has soared. American capitalism has been a triumph, and it has spread throughout the world. At the same time, argues the former U.S. secretary of labor, Robert B. Reich, the effectiveness of democracy in America has declined. It has grown less responsive to the citizenry, and people are feeling more and more helpless as a result.
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Millions of Americans have lost confidence in our political and economic system. After years of stagnant wages, volatile job markets, and an unwillingness by those in power to deal with profound threats such as climate change, there is a mounting sense that the system is fixed, serving only those select few with enough money to secure a controlling stake. With the characteristic clarity and passion that has made him a central civil voice, Robert B. Reich shows how wealth and power have interacted to install an elite oligarchy, eviscerate the middle class, and undermine democracy.
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Saving Capitalism
- For the Many, Not the Few
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- Narrated by: Robert B. Reich
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-
Overall
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Performance
-
Story
In Saving Capitalism, Robert Reich reveals the entrenched cycles of power and influence that have damaged American capitalism, perpetuating a new oligarchy in which the 1 percent get ever richer and the rest - middle and working class alike - lose ever more economic agency, making for the greatest income inequality and wealth disparity since World War II.
-
-
A riveting economics book! Mind. Blown.
- By Nothing really matters on 04-18-16
By: Robert B. Reich
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Overall
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Performance
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Robert B. Reich urges Americans to get beyond mere outrage about the nation’s increasingly concentrated wealth and corrupt politics in order to mobilize and to take back our economy and democracy. Americans can’t rely only on getting good people elected, Reich argues, because nothing positive happens in Washington unless good people outside Washington are organized to help make those things happen after the election. But in order to be effectively mobilized, we need to see the big picture.
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Falls short
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- Narrated by: Robert B. Reich
- Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
From Robert B. Reich, passionate believer in American democracy and public servant, Reason is a guide to confronting and derailing what he sees as the mounting threat to American liberty, prosperity, and security posed by the radical conservatives, Radcons as he calls them.
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Aftershock
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- By: Robert B. Reich
- Narrated by: Robert Reich
- Length: 4 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The author of 12 acclaimed books, Robert B. Reich is a Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and has served in three national administrations. While many blamed Wall Street for the financial meltdown, Aftershock points a finger at a national economy in which wealth is increasingly concentrated at the top - and where a grasping middle class simply does not have the resources to remain viable.
-
-
Very plausible assessment of our economy
- By CAR TOP CAMPER on 10-06-10
By: Robert B. Reich
-
Supercapitalism
- The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life
- By: Robert B. Reich
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- Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Since the 1970s, and notwithstanding three recessions, the U.S. economy has soared. American capitalism has been a triumph, and it has spread throughout the world. At the same time, argues the former U.S. secretary of labor, Robert B. Reich, the effectiveness of democracy in America has declined. It has grown less responsive to the citizenry, and people are feeling more and more helpless as a result.
-
-
Robert Reich for V.P. (of the U.S.)
- By Kenneth on 11-07-07
By: Robert B. Reich
What listeners say about The Common Good
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- Jean
- 03-15-18
Edifying
This is a very timely essay. Reich takes a look at Adam Smith’s economic design, ideal of truth and equitable competition. Reich states we are a nation of law and order bound on the common good. He says the enemies of the common good range from the slumlords to megabanks and untrammeled hedge funds. These all disregard the rules of society for selfish gains. Reich stresses the importance of the truth; he proceeds to point out the problems caused by lies.
Robert B. Reich is following the lead of Sandra Day O’Connor who is advocating the renewal of civic education to enable people “to work with others; to separate facts and logic from values and beliefs”. I found this to be a most interesting discussion and a good review of citizenship. This book is easy to read. My only complaint is the repetition of key points throughout the book.
Robert B. Reich is a professor of public policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California Berkeley. He served in the administration of President Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and was Clinton’s Secretary of Labor from 1993 to 1997. Reich narrator the book himself. The book is just over five hours.
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12 people found this helpful
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- DANIEL
- 02-23-18
A must read for everyone
It explains why we're in the mess we're in as a nation and what we should do about it to correct it
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8 people found this helpful
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- Richard King
- 03-01-18
Good is True and Good. Thank you RR!
Loved it! At any cost is too expensive. Courtesy, logical facts and engaging with all Americans are key to our common good.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Mischief Managed
- 07-26-18
What we need right now
Reich is as engaging and passionate and ever. i will use parts of this book in my classroom, i teach civics and this has reenergized me for the coming school year. Will listen again for sure.
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- L Morris
- 06-27-18
Required Reading!
I am a fan of Robert Reich. He is quite insightful, and tuned into actions and words as they fit into life politically, socially and morally. This book is a good place to start for refreshing ourselves on our civics lessons, or learning them for the first time.
I don't remember all the events in history quite the same way he recounts, but he was closer to the events and people, so I am grateful for his perspective. His conclusions for living lives of public service and moral responsibility are spot on. Don't miss this chance to feel inspired again to do the right thing.
Listen to this book. (Or better, read it. Mr. Reich's voice is not great for audiobooks.) Make your kids listen, and your grandkids, if you have them. Tell your friends. I didn't realize that civics is not a requirement to graduate high school. It should be, of course. It's required for naturalized citizens. This book is full of thoughtful wisdom, and important information.
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- DNM
- 06-15-19
This can be a gift from the USA to other nations.
As an outsider to the USA, living and working here as a Permanent Resident with the Green Card, I learned a lot from this book about this country, its current sociopolitical contexts, and how it got here. In reflecting on my own background, it occurred to me that Reich's arguments may be transplanted to Japan, where I was born. I also lived in several other nations, and I think parts of Reich's points can definitely be used in their contexts, as well. I wonder when it will come out in the Japanese language?
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- VOS
- 04-05-18
what a great concept
hard to believe our society has gotten so out of touch with it. regardless of your political leaning, religious beliefs or socioeconomic status, read this book and apply at least some small part to how you contribute to your community. our world will be a better place for it.
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- Chelsea
- 09-30-19
Filled with examples and inspiration
Reich always seems to hit the mark on what factors contribute to the big picture. He definitely prefers to emphasize a macro perspective over micro analysis but it's simply his method of staying consistent and concise. Naturally, as a professor, he gives the reader more than enough examples to prompt further exploration into his claims. Exactly what pupils need.
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- John
- 07-22-18
Citizenship 101
Should be required reading for all public officials. Mr. Reich, as ever, sums up for me what could be, but sadly rarely is, Americn Citizenship.
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- Nik Fekete
- 05-22-18
Fantastic
Thank you Robert for your unabridged delivery of great knowledge. Thank you for reminding me of my civic duties that I have forgotten. And thank you for awakening me with another sense of purpose. Entertaining, informative, thought provoking and motivational, this book did not disappoint.
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