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I'll Be Short: Essentials for a Decent Working Society

Author:Robert B. Reich
ISBN: 0807043419
Publication Info: Beacon Press
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From the former Secretary of Labor, a plan to get the economy to work for everyone. With his characteristic humor, humanity, and candor, one of the nation"s most distinguished public leaders and thinkers delivers a fresh vision of politics by returning to basic American values: workers should share in the success of their companies; those who work should not have to live in poverty; and everyone should have access to an education that will better their chances in life. An insider who knows how the economy and government really work, Reich combines realistic solutions with democratic ideals. Businesses do have civic responsibilities, and government must stem a widening income gap that threatens to stratify our nation. And everyone must get involved to help return us to a society that works for everyone. Robert B. Reich, a professor at Brandeis University, is author of eight books, including Locked in the Cabinet and The Future of Success. His radio commentary has been heard biweekly on public radio"s Marketplace, and his writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Gabriel Martinez on Dec 16, 2008

Chapters 1-3:

  1. In chapter 1 (which is full of Rawlsian overtones), Reich lays out what he think is the ages-old American "Social Contract". What are the 3 "provisions" of this contract? Do you agree that these provisions are as American as apple pie? Why or why not?
  2. In chapter 2, Reich lays out 5 things that businesses can do to be better corporate citizens. List these 5 proposals for corporations. Do you think that businesses indeed have that responsibility? What do you think would take to get businesses to implement these ideas?
  3. In chapter 3, Reich lists some 5 proposals that would "make work pay", that would increase the incomes of wage-earners, lifting them out of poverty. List them. For some of these, he also lists downsides to be avoided: what are these downsides?
  4. Also in chapter 3, Reich gives the rationale for a comprehensive social insurance system. He also mentions some of the problems with the existing social insurance system. Explain the rationale and the problems.
Gabriel Martinez on Dec 16, 2008

Chapters 4-6

  1. In what ways do standardized tests increase inequality? How does competition between universities for students contribute to inequality?
  2. In chapter 5, Reich is making a polemical, political point. Try not to get distracted by his anger about whether the words "family values" are correctly used. His point is that stable families require economic security, and that economic security is denied by discrimination and inequality of opportunity.
  3. Consider his lists of "do's" and "don'ts" in pages 101 and 105. How would following Reich's recommendations contribute to strengthen families? To reduce the incidence of divorce, out-of-wedlock birth, abortion, and domestic violence?
  4. Why does he say that a high-productivity strategy for countries is "consistent with a decent working society"? What would contribute towards making a society to a highly productive one?