A Declaration of Interdependence: Why America Should Join the World

Book Description

"You're sure to be provoked and enlightened by this bold view from the other side of the Atlantic."—Robert B. Reich

In this shrewd and eloquent dissection of American politics and policies, Will Hutton offers powerful new insight into our new—and troubling—mores. Great societies, this book holds, are marked by essential core values: the social contract that enhances its citizens' lives; an honest and enlightened economy; a vital public realm; and a recognition that the world is an interdependent place, one best governed under international law. With the triumph of conservatism in America, each of these values has withered. Rampant materialism, corporate corruption, the failure of government regulation, an unquestioning faith in American exceptionalism, and a conviction that Americans must go it alone are all in the saddle.

We are not going in the right direction. To turn us around—to secure health services and decent work for all Americans, to build faith in the economy, to close the gap between rich and poor, to restore, in short, the American dream—America needs to reclaim these values. It could not do better in that task than to renew its historic philosophical partnership with today's Europe, which has chosen a better compass.

Customer Reviews:

Propaganda from a paid hack!.......2006-08-08

There is a good compendium in here about
what 'they' want to do TO us, not for us
and that we should be greatful for. Who
is this guy Hutton to suggest that our
great Constitution is outdated and needs
to be scrapped? A paid lackee for the
Rockefellers, I think the way his lousy
book reads. Hey Hutton, YOU GO BACK TO
Europe if it's sich a Utopia, you Socialist!

Rejects Liberty for government controlled conformity.......2005-05-31

At first you wonder if Hutton is serious. When you realize that he apparently is serious, there is a tendency toward laughter. Then you realize that he really IS SERIOUS. He honestly believes that we have too much liberty in the US and that newspapers have too much freedom to publish. Instead of liberty, what does Hutton cherish? The "primacy of society". Which is? As best as I can determine, the primacy of society is greater control of society by government, those wise and kind overseers who want only what is best for us poor ignorant uneducated masses.

Hutton should have been born 80 years ago, in Germany. Or 50 years ago in the Soviet Union. He would have loved it.

Wide the Mark - Shows Continuing Decline of The Left!.......2005-05-30

In late May, fellow Brit, the sagacious Mark Steyne, observed: "Sick in bed a couple of months back, I started reading 'A Declaration of Interdependence: Why America Should Join the World' by Will Hutton, and found it such a laugh I was soon hurling my medication away and doing cartwheels round the room." Why?

"The great Euro-thinker. . .compares the American and French Revolutions, and decides the latter was better because instead of the radical individualism of the 13 colonies the French promoted ''a new social contract.''" In other words, the Founding Fathers got it completely assbackwards! First at pains to demonstrate his love of American pop culture, Hutton then gets both his facts and political philosophy completely wrong - thus raising Steyne's triumphant cackles.

First, consider theory.

"[I]t's the [Europeans] willingness to subordinate individual liberty to what Hutton calls `the primacy of society' that has blighted the continent for over a century: Statism -- or `the primacy of society' -- is what fascism, Nazism, communism and now European Union all have in common." Statism, no matter how benign, subordinates the individual to some alleged collective `good.' But American's believe in individual destinies - not any vague societal one.

Why the difference? In the Lockean world of America, people and social relations precede the state. Only by delegating rights to a central authority do individuals gain for themselves what they otherwise would do on their own. But this is no blank check. Rather, inalienable rights belong to each and every one of us, as human beings. This is the ultimate protection against overreaching state power.

Next, consider the many facts.

First, certain US states have practiced democracy for almost 300 years, not Germany or France. The latter have fallen to fascism, Nazism, and communism. Only with US help did Europe regain its way, finding a relatively benign statism instead. Will Hutton should work from the former to the latter, not the reverse, if he is to play fair with the weight of historical evidence.

Secondly, Hutton mistakes the "social safety net" Euro-socialism has constructed for itself with progress. Euro-soc is sclerotic and burdened with cultural inferiority and material backwardness that, by European's own entrepreneurial reckoning, might take a hundred years to catch up to US levels.

The claim that the Euro `social model' of society and politics is superior underwent a decisive drubbing in 2004's "Cowboy Capitalism: European Myths, American Reality," by German business journalist Olaf Gersemann. Using a thorough systematic analysis of the statistical data, he finds that these arguments - often the same deployed by Hutton - are either outright false or seriously overestimated. Hutton argues that Americans pay a huge price for their economic system in income inequality and other social problems, like two working parents because of indebtedness. In fact, very few families find two parents working out of necessity.

Inequality of income is wildly overestimated in the US for several reasons: Most wealthier parents work long hours by choice, yet relatively few of the poor do; "income" figures neglect ubiquitous transfer payments for the poor; and many millions of recent immigrants, typically bottom-rung poor from Mexico, exaggerate income inequality. But when quality of material life is calculated, such as the poor owning cars, air conditioning, homes, and living space, it's much better to be poor in the US than Europe. 60 percent of all the world's immigration is to the US, which remains a beacon for opportunity.

The greater market freedoms in America create a more flexible, adaptable, and prosperous system than the declining welfare states of Europe. The US leads in opportunity, economic growth, quality of life, R & D, cultural exports, and higher educational quality and opportunity, leaving Europe far behind except when it comes to access to basic health care.

Upon the sound defeat of the new EU constitution in France, The New York Times reported on reaction in Bobigny, a working-class suburb of Paris, with 18 percent unemployment and a large ethnic Arab and African population, where 72 percent of the voters there said `no.' The suburb's Communist mayor, Mr. Biringer said: "We are already in a Europe of unemployment and regression."

Recent research conducted by political scientist Paul Gottfried revealed a salient changed ideological reality. Before the Fall of Communism, leftist ideas and politics flowed from Europe to the US. But after the Fall, this process was reversed. Thus, New Labour and Prime Minister Blair in Britain achieved its present success through imitating Clinton and the DLC. Others like Germany's Chancellor Schroeder and French leftists have only gained power in the absence of coherent alternatives from the right, not by dint of political seriousness.

The endemic problem for the left today is its inability to cease navel gazing, projecting distracting animosities, and do the hard work of actually rethinking its political identity and program. Facile won't do, nor will perfunctory or mediocre. But like Michael Moore, that's all we ever get. (Sigh.) Will Hutton's opus is similarly wide of the mark.

YoY.......2005-04-07

As an author myself, I recommend that you purchase this book for personal study. As a member of the Earth Charter, "A Declaration of Interdependence" is a very grand envisioning realization of the way to make things right. Although he focuses mainly on economics, I still find this book of high interest.
Author. "Knowledge For Tomorrow" Quinton D. Crawford

The Benefit of an Outside Observer.......2003-09-01

This is a revealing examination of the American system by an outside observer who is not bogged down by native ideologies. Hutton is also a solid liberal in the European tradition, and in the process he delivers a very solid manifesto of modern liberal theory, of the type that American left wingers have been far too chicken to utter for a long time. Hutton shows us that American liberalism is currently so weak because of the consolidation of power by the new American conservatism, and its prohibition of all opposing viewpoints through empty patriotism and ideological extremism that is increasingly divorced from reality.

Hutton outlines the social and political effects of the modern conservatism, and things aren't looking too good in America from the European standpoint. The social safety net is being dismantled as everything remotely "public" is inaccurately condemned as socialist big government; while economically, long-term prosperity and innovation are disappearing under the rush for short-term profits and pressure from Wall Street to follow unproven "efficient market" ideologies. Hutton also includes interesting examinations of how the European system, based on far greater amounts of social goodwill and assistance than the US, has plenty of its own strengths that can benefit both Europe and the US in the long run. Europe's strengths should not be swamped by political and economic pressure from America to adopt the current conservatism

The only problems with this book are Hutton's rather repetitive and verbose writing, especially his habit of rattling off long lists of social and economic problems that give the impression that he is trying to boost his own nation's image. Hutton's proposed solutions to the dire long-term problems being engendered by unyielding conservatism are solid, but they are long-term only and he offers no answers for how political transitions can be made realistically. But this book is still an excellent example of how an outside observer can point out problems and weaknesses in the American system that we are unlikely to admit to ourselves, and a solid compendium of liberal theory. [~doomsdayer520~]

Book Description

The 3-Dimensional Voice is an easy to read instruction manual for the Human Voice written with wit and wisdom for EVERYBODY who owns one! It is packed full of simple solutions to the voice problems that challange us eveyday. You'll learn to turn a weak voice into a powerhouse and to change the sound of your voice as easily as you change the dial on your radio. Endorsed by Mark Victor Hansen of the Chicken Soup For The Soul series, this book is for everone who believes they are "stuck" with the voice they came in with.

Customer Reviews:

Greatest Voice book out there!!!.......2007-06-09

Perfect novel for anyone and everyone looking to gain knowledge on the voice and speaking. I would highly recommend it. Fun read and best resources! Great job JONI

Very Helpful.......2007-01-13

This is an awesome and helpful book. The only thing that it is missing is how to sing. I would recommend this to anyone who is shy and wants to develop a much stronger voice.

Develop a Richer Voice.......2006-07-17

This books contains lots of fun exercises to make your voice sound fuller and richer - giving it depth, width and length. You will find a brief overview of vocal anatomy, just enough to get acquainted with your equipment, but not too much to put you to sleep - there is a reference to books if you want to know more. At the beginning of the book, there is a list of common problems people experience and you can do self-analysis to discover what would you like to improve with your voice and focus more on exercises that help to correct that particular problem. The book is easy to read, the exercises are fun to do and best of all, most of them you can do at any time anywhere, and the suggestions in the book are very helpful.

good, but..........2004-04-16

I have to give this book three stars out of five (somehow I felt "conditioned" to give it five) because I feel it puts too much of an emphasis on strengthening the voice (I didn't know it needed to lift weights...would I want it to either?) and making it deeper and lower (way too stereotypical & dated: I know this may sound hard to believe, but I truly DON'T want to sound like James Earl Jones).

For me, personally, I felt like I was afflicted with the "pretty girl syndrome" voice: you sound like Brooke Shields (strained and perfectionistic) at times, but YOU'RE A BOY! My very pretty sister has the same problem (I probably picked up some of this nightmare from her) and I can't stand listening to her talk. I found out that this comes from TENSION and it sounds horrible: this book helped clear that up for me. I also realized my voice is more masculine than I thought which I'm not entirely comfortable with, but I can get pleasantly used to.

Like, I'm pretty playful when it comes to my voice and am effective with it when I imitate or joke around. When I have to be me...I got into this really bad habit during adolescence where I just blew off the whole voice thing and it carried over into my adulthood, especially when I'm supposed to be "serious".

What I would say is that the book is informative and that it gives the basic mechanisms of voice. My problem with it is that I'm going to have to reread and just pick out the parts of the book that are pertinent or relevant to what I want: I basically have to wade through and edit the whole book for myself now which is annoying, but I guess this stuff is work (but it shouldn't be: the author could have made it a little more effortless and pure). Like using the tongue and slackening the jaw and laying off the larynx for that heavy tension, but it's a pretty good primer anyways.

The author is too likable in that you're more willing to give her an A+ (she has this slick ability of getting you in fun mode and also like you get the feeling "if you don't give this book five stars this puppy will die" kind of feel) when it should be lower. It also tends to get a little too cutesy and optimistic at times (I think a "negative" voice can sound interesting at times: who wants to sound positive at a funeral? and is an optimistic, newscaster's voice that hip?).

I'm definitely getting Change your voice, change your life cause I want my already bashfully masculine voice to be real, unaffected, and not lifting weights each and everyday (I found a lot of the exercises annoying and conterproductive to my purposes and intent).

There are a LOT of distracting mispellings (Hypocrites instead of Hippocrates) and misprints that don't affect the content or information of the book, but are still sloppy. I'm just grateful I got the basic, 3d one on voice and not the 3d business voices (how cheesy must that voice sound like?). A good basic book, but BEWARE of sounding cheesy (deep and brawny voiced like that paper towel guy: yeah, that's the male ideal) and not so with it.

All you'll ever need to know about the human voice........2000-10-17

This book has a clear explination on all the parts of the body that are involved in making the voice do exactly what you want and need for it to do. I am a singer and have been studying my voice for years, but did not understsnd the workings of the body in relationship to my own sounds until now. Everyone who uses there voice for speeking or singing should read this book. Although it is informative, it is also fun to read. The author gives the information in a clear and fun way. The exercises are great and easy to do and have helped me to improve.

Book Description

In Making Microchips, Jan Mazurek examines the environmental and economic implications of the computer microchip industry's exodus from California's Silicon Valley to New Mexico, Virginia, Ireland, and Taiwan. Globalization, economic restructuring, and changing manufacturing processes in this rapidly growing industry present difficult new questions for environmental policy. Mazurek challenges the assumptions of U.S. policies designed to promote the competitiveness of domestic microchip makers. She argues that, although these initiatives focus on the economic effects of environmental regulation, they fail to acknowledge how economic and organizational changes within the industry collide with and often confound efforts to monitor and manage pollution from chemicals used in microchip manufacturing.

Despite its reputation as a clean industry, microchip manufacturing is fraught with hazards. More than sixty dangerous acids, solvents, caustics, and gases are used to make microchips, and some of them are suspected to be carcinogens and/or reproductive toxins. Mazurek describes the environmental by-products of chipmaking, including soil contamination, air and water pollution, and damage to human health. Applying insights from economic geography to questions of how and where companies organize production, she shows how Silicon Valley played a pivotal role in the development of the microchip. Pairing federal environmental data with structural and geographic information on the six firms that continue to build wafer fabrication plants in the United States, she demonstrates how reorganization and relocation of manufacturing facilities divert attention from trends in toxic emissions and how they complicate public and private efforts to improve the industry's environmental performance. In the concluding chapter, Mazurek marshals her findings in a broader analysis of the expansion of global manufacturing and the resultant environmental problems.

Customer Reviews:

Environmental Issues More Than Anthing Else.......2001-08-24

The first quarter of the book was extremely interesting and informative. She gave a basic overview of the semiconductor industry, and included reasonable comparisons and predictions. She included an abundance of information and research on possible environmental issues that could arise from semiconductor manufacturing. As I began reading, I prepared myself for a slamming of the industries' "clean manufacturing" procedures. However, I was pleased to discover that her analysis was well thought out, and presented in an unbiased fashion. I would have liked to see more analysis in terms of the economic implications/costs, either micro or macro, associated with restructuring the industry into a "cleaner state." In review, this book was informative, and helpful in presenting underlying environmental issues associated with the semiconductor industry.

Clean manufacturing, or not?.......2001-08-05

I didn't want to like this book. The cover copy led me to expect a one-sided attack on the semiconductor industry's claims of clean manufacturing. Instead, I found a clear discussion of the difficult balance between the public interest and the needs of a constantly evolving industry. Semiconductor manufacturers regularly change manufacturing processes, shift production between countries, and even (through foundries) transfer production to entirely different companies. All of these characteristics complicate traditional environmental regulation based on clearly defined lists of pollutants from clearly defined sources. Meanwhile, the industry's sometimes obsessive secrecy, though justified by competitive pressures, complicates community relations and can hamper more flexible regulatory approaches.

In some cases, Mazurek's lack of semiconductor manufacturing expertise shows. For example, she repeats without comment the contention of environmental groups that water too dirty for wafer manufacturing is, of necessity, unfit for human consumption. In other instances, the existing regulatory structure itself leads to potentially misleading analysis. For example, Department of Commerce statistics on semiconductor shipments do not clearly distinguish between US-manufactured chips and US-designed chips manufactured outside the US, making it difficult to tell whether declines in toxic releases are due to cleaner manufacturing or simply to production transfers.

These complaints are merely quibbles, though. Taken as a whole, Mazurek has composed an impressive and thought-provoking analysis. Environmental policy makers, manufacturing executives, and the citizens affected by their decisions could all learn something from this book.

Average customer rating:
Making Microchips: Policy, Globalization, and Economic Restructuring in the Semiconductor Industry (Urban and Industrial Environments)
Jan Mazurek
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQAJLA

Customer Reviews:

The Travel Guru: Paperback and Colorful CD.......2002-03-12

I found The Travel Guru very useful and easy to understand. The companion CD is incredibly helpful. The use of web-links, direct from the document to the Internet, is a great idea!

The Travel Guru CD : Turn Your Love Of Travel Into A Rewarding Home Business

Average customer rating:

The Travel Guru CD : Turn Your Love Of Travel Into A Rewarding Home Business
Bill Reitter
Manufacturer: Guru Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

Home Based | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0970926014

Book Description

Synopsis. The Travel Guru is a business manual that clearly explains how to operate a tour and travel service from your home or office. The reader is guided through a step-by-step process of identifying a target niche, choosing a dynamic name, setting up shop and researching travel suppliers on the Internet. Readers will also discover how to design and plan exciting and popular itineraries for particular types of groups, how to construct attractive promotional fliers and how to effectively market the many groups in the local community. Finally, readers will learn how to conduct a successful first tour, and then how to turn that first customer into a repeat client.

This is the most complete and helpful home business guide to deal specifically with the tremendous potential of the group tour market, which is one of the fastest growing segments of the entire travel industry. Among the many special highlights of the book are the extensive lists of types of groups and types of tours. The key to success in this business is carving out a niche which uniquely suites the owner's abilities and then finding others who share those same interests. The advent of computers with high-speed Internet access has revolutionized the way travel bookings are made. Never before has it been so fast and convenient to set up package plans for group tours, especially for small groups with specialized needs and interests. Anyone with a love of travel and a knack for dealing honestly with people can achieve satisfaction and success by providing these much-needed services to groups in their local community. See Types of Groups and Types of Tours.

Also included are several inspiring success stories from homemakers and mompreneurs who have achieved their goals by following the guidelines in this manual. Potential problems, legal issues, safety and insurance are discussed, along with tips for dealing with difficult passengers and bargaining with suppliers. Sample business forms such as confirmation forms and sign-up sheets are provided. The various rolls of all the different professionals in the tour industry are explained so that the entrepreneur can decide which functions can be profitably assumed and which ones are better left to the travel agent or attorney. The Independent Tour Operator is really a coordinator of many services and must wear many hats.

The extent of involvement depends on experience, knowledge and ability to perform these rolls. This could include the rolls of research, design, sales, bookkeeping, and even the actual conducting of tours. This might eventually include leading, guiding, instructing and even driving many of the small group tours. It all depends on how much time and effort the owner is willing and able to invest in the enterprise. Some have found success and happiness merely by booking busses for charter transportation on a part-time basis. Others have assumed many rolls and reaped rewards of a satisfying and profitable home business.

Included also is detailed information and advice about motorcoach touring, cruising, rail tours and air/hotel packages. The tours can be educational day trips or weeklong adventure tours. The reader will learn how to locate and book the best deals on resorts, restaurants, museums, sporting events and theatres, gardens, and amusement parks. But some of the most popular tours are outlet shopping sprees, city tours and historic villages, just to name a few! Please see my new website grouptourguru.com.

The Travel Guru features an excellent up-to-date bibliography, which includes tour books, marketing books, cruise guides and home business manuals. Best of all: an extensive resource section that includes hundreds of new tour and travel websites to help research group tour services, group discounts and package plans. This practical manual will be available in three formats: paperback, CD with hyperlinks, and e-book. It will be published by X-Libris this summer.

Target Audience: It is well known that tour and travel is one of the largest and fastest-growing segments of the economy. Most people still prefer to travel as individuals, couples or as families. But the number of affinity groups such as senior citizen groups, adventure clubs and business associations is growing rapidly according to the TIA (Travel Industry Association of America). Many of these new groups have inexperienced activity directors and social coordinators who do not know the first thing about researching and designing itineraries and tour packages. In the past these group leaders looked mainly to travel agents to fill these needs but everything in the tour business is changing. Travel service providers are now dealing directly with the public via the Web.

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Technical Communication, published by Society for Technical Communication on May 1, 1992. The length of the article is 6340 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: The negative aspects of technology can be controlled through an efficient information-dissemination process. As such, technical communicators are expected to act as the channel between experts and laymen, facilitating a constant information flow which puts the layman in control of the process.

Citation Details
Title: Controlling technology through communication: redefining the role of the technical communicator. (Column)
Author: Erika N. Cilengir
Publication: Technical Communication (Refereed)
Date: May 1, 1992
Publisher: Society for Technical Communication
Volume: v39 Issue: n2 Page: p166(9)

Article Type: Column

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Quebec politics: selective readings, suggested themes.(Pedagogical Forum; tips for US professors to create course on Quebec politics): An article from: Quebec Studies

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Quebec politics: selective readings, suggested themes.(Pedagogical Forum; tips for US professors to create course on Quebec politics): An article from: Quebec Studies
Marc T. Boucher
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Quebec Studies, published by Thomson Gale on March 22, 2005. The length of the article is 6230 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Quebec politics: selective readings, suggested themes.(Pedagogical Forum; tips for US professors to create course on Quebec politics)
Author: Marc T. Boucher
Publication: Quebec Studies (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 22, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 39 Page: 109(13)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Selective Business Writing
M. Rabinovici
Manufacturer: International Business Library Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Running Meetings & Presentations | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 9730000867

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Selective Business Writing Skills

Manufacturer: International Business Library Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Book Description

This text is designed to equip students with the academic and personal skills needed for success in school and life. Focused on career success skills and career development, this text emphasizes life long learning by connecting the skills mastered for college success with those needed for success in life and on the job.

Book Description

You're no idiot, of course. You've saved money smartly for retirement all your life, you've diligently invested in 401(k) plans over the years and now you even have some pension money coming in. But when it comes to feeling financially comfortable, you feel like you never should have left your day job. Don't smash you piggy bank just yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Money After You Retire helps you make sense of all your retirement options so that you keep the dollars rolling in while you kick back and soak in some sun. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get:

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Money After You Retire

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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Money After You Retire
Barbara Weltman
Manufacturer: Macmillan Distribution
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000P3HQPO

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The Complete Idiot;s Guide to Making Money After You Retire
Barbara Weltman
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O91Y1G

Customer Reviews:

Great Read.......2000-04-08

This was a great read, and a wonderful insight into Asia's greed. A gritty account.

Steve Coates, Hong Kong.

Informative and readable.......1999-10-28

I used this book to write a discussion of Organisational management - I felt the authors were very clear in their objectives and that it was a great book for understanding exactly what went on - an interesting and detailed account.

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