Third World America by Arianna Huffington - Book Report/Review Example

Third World America by Arianna Huffington In the book “Third World America” writer Arianna Huffington very smoothly gives an in-depth understanding of the Decline- A decline of American middle class. The author pin points the loop holes of the American politicians just before the election fever so as to give a wakeup call to those who are at a higher risk of being effected. The reader is convinced with the fact that the changing government is changing their dreams, from the idea of making the state grow further through the advancements in technology; the vision has now declined to the extent of making efforts for mere survival. The thesis of this book is very clear from title of the book i.e., America is on the verge of destruction , and if the things continued to the same way , soon the middle class of America will be vanished bringing the down fall more closer and early. Along with forecasting and lamenting the pathetic situation she justifies her stance with the practical proofs from the society at large. Moving on further, the author convinces her audience with the idea that “better late than never” (Hiffington pg, 21). She claims that things have to be really taken care of before the elections, relying on a republican or Democratic Party will be a foolish idea as it’s now time to bridge the differences and come up with some novel idea that could lead to stability, if not advancement. This book is a time alert that highlights the economic instability of the state. It says that if we don’t take drastic steps to change the government’s course of action- and that too “in time” America will soon be threaten to become the third world country.She reckons that America’s middle class is the driver of so much of economic success and political stability, which is now in jeopardy, fearing that we are losing as a nation – that the generation next to will be provided with fewer opportunities and face a lower standard of living than we did. Where the book shows darkness all over America at its one end on the other end it gives us the hope to struggle for a better, enlightened future. To say that the book at its core is quite optimistic won’t be a wrong stance. It’s a blend of innumerous problems with the required or possible remedies to fix them up (Huffington pg, 57). The author proves that this decline of American middle class is not an accident. The facts given in this book indicates that it is due to a preplanned scheme. The home financing schemes, the trap that has been made for the people through credit card companies with the high tax and interest rates of the services provided has all lead to the steep decline of money from the people. The scary quoted stories of common people pictures the sufferings of middle class, making the darkness more clear (Huffington pg, 93). Evidence provided is the lack of transparency and accountability. Our industrial base is almost disappearing, taking with it the job opportunities which had been the key economy regulator for the past decade or so; our economic system has been shattered to the extent of bankruptcy; our political system is highly un stable, in thrall to a small financial elite using the power of the checkbook to control both parties. our infrastructure—our roads, our bridges, our sewage and water, our transportation and electrical systems—is all in ; our education system is worsening , making it difficult for the coming generation (that would be our workforce tomorrow) to acquire the information and training they will need to grow their businesses (Huffington pg, 79). Hence the author proves her point with examples- examples not only generalized ones but to elaborate her verdict she has kept on discussing individual cases. However this book does offer some timely and innovative remedial steps for the current situation, which gives it an optimistic node. The need of the time is to take action, from whatever direction it comes, as one of the reviewer’s states that “Your call to action is certain to get right, left, and center–who aren’t already–in gear.” While visiting the people all across the America the author sees the passion, creativity and the resistance among the public which lights the hope of living in a better tomorrow. This is the key reason that the end note of the book is filled with optimism. Susan Gardener - a famous critique and columnist very brilliantly puts the reformed changes of Huffington in some small points. The author emphasizes on the systematic changes that will restore the society. The key reforms that she wants in the American society are Public financing of campaigns , establishing government 2.0, freedom of choosing best educational place for every child, creating jobs with the aids of state and local governments., reducing defense budget and focus on spending on infrastructure, providing people with shelter in the time of mortgage and foreclosure crisis, imposing restrictions on credit card companies and most important of all using media for some constructive purpose. This paper also argues about the affectivity of Huffington’s idea of governance. Apparently the model described in this book looks the cure of all problems but its practical implications are not that wide. This books talks of uniting the left, right and the centrals to stand up together instead of relying on any one of the governments. As described by Madison in his federalist papers, that large states are to be governed by some specific government instead of public at large. There is no doubt that with the larger number of governors accountability often seems easy and the public is heard in the policy making but only in small states. When it comes to the state as big as America, public governments always lead to factions. The author of this book has rightly said that without accountability the danger of declining middle class will continue to rise but even with a single government this sort of problems are often lessen. Madison explains that following a constitution by government is much more justified then giving the control to masses. The type of ruling that the author urges for, will ultimately end up in chaos because every single individual will have his or her own demands which cannot be accommodated under a single law. As far as the problem of middle class is concerned, the writer truly says that in the time to come only two classes will be seen. James Madison in his federalist papers presents the solution of this issue. He opines that there should be way out to maintain the liberty of the general public without sacrificing the political power of the republicans as it would lead to some severe trauma to the government and the state at large. Discussing the possible remedy he says that the only way of improving class difference through amending America with establishing a limited federal government. This system will help recognizing the states as active political units. He argues that if the social, economic, religious and geographical interests are combined under the head of an extended federal government and with proper investigation and control into these interests, American middle class can be prevented from going into shambles. This idea according to Madison will bring satisfaction to both the rich and poor as the property of the rich would be safe even though the masses held political power. He tried to transfer the political power in the state itself sufficiently to break down the extremes of the classes and thus to guarantee both liberty and security. The reader like me is partially convinced with the idea presented in this book- that America is on the verge of becoming a third world country if the economy slippage from the middle class continues to be the same way as it is now. But there are some ideological differences with the remedial steps given in her book. She talks of accountability, corruption and prejudice from the government and passion, resilience, creativity and acts of compassion from the masses as the only source of betterment forgetting that headless mob leads to chaos. Similarly the idea of bridging the gap between intention and involvement is far beyond the practical implication. Works Cited Gardener, Susan. “Daily Kos.’’ Huffington, Arianna S. Third World America: How Our Politicians Are Abandoning the Middle Class and Betraying the American Dream. New York: Crown Publishers, 2010. Print. Read More