Reviews | The State of Working America

The State of Working America

Review

Regional Studies, Vol. 41.4, pp. 553, June 2007

Book Reviews
Edited by Amy Glasmeier

The State of Working America, LAWRENCE MISHEL, JARED BERNSTEIN and SYLVIA ALLEGRETTO, Economic Policy Institute (EPI), Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY (2005). xi þ 484 pp. US$24.95 (pbk). ISBN 0 8014 8962 8.

The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) performs a significant service to both research-oriented, analytic scholars and students of economics, regional planning, geography and other similar disciplines. For political scientists this is an engaging foundation from which to develop policy statements and programmes dealing with working families across the country. This volume, consistent with EPI’s values and scholastic excellence, is a well-developed document describing, explaining, and giving the significance of our nation’s recent economy and its connection to working families.

Within the main body of the text (422 pages) are seven chapters which detail the national situation in the initial decade of the 21st century. Chapters 1–3 interpret family income, wages and jobs. This set of chapters constitutes a bit more than half the volume, with Chapter 2 (Wages) accounting for 109 pages of the total. Chapters 4 and 5 (Wealth and Poverty) form a second, 58-page, set in the volume; while Chapters 6 and 7 (Regional Analysis and International Comparison) follow with 31 and 28 pages, respectively.

Roughly paralleling chapter lengths, the net production of graphics as tables and figures is formidable. The authors have designed and given the readership a total of 161 tables and 115 figures (including two maps) to enhance the text visually. A remarkable mass of description is contained in these graphics, both current and historical; the results present data in ways that answer questions and point towards the inevitable, ‘further research is needed...’ openings for thought. Perhaps the only criticism of the volume is the lack of maps as information-presenting devices. Chapter 6 (Regional Analysis) displays two maps of the country showing ‘Job Growth by State, 1989–92 and 2000– 2003’ (p. 352).

EPI presents an authentic Executive Summary of 37 pages, which not only draws the reader into the data, but also skilfully provides a picture of the economy in clear, concise language. For the non-econometric reader this is a major plus. A readable format, logical sequencing of story and helpful graphics to maintain interest are hallmarks of this important work.

Chapter 2 (Wages) is the driver of the book. Clearly, wages have the significant hold on the US family’s ability to sustain and grow. Trends are described and explained which have developed over the past 30 years to 2002. Three themes underscore the recent wage history. Over the past quarter century the economy has witnessed a recovery from stagnant or falling wages to one of strong growth. Second, during the 1980s, wage erosion occurred. Finally, the role of rising unemployment and its concomitant influence on wage inequality are discussed with particular reference to the bottom grouping of income opportunities.

Throughout the book demographic effects are shown in clear and logical formats. When looking at poverty (Chapter 5) as an example, neat and articulate tables showing the impact of economic, demographic and educational factors on poverty rates are framed in a 30-year perspective and are abundant in number.

Chapters 6 and 7 (Regional Analysis and International Comparison) constitute about one-quarter of the volume. Both chapters are interesting from a summarizing perspective as well as providing a ‘thought horizon’ to consider such things as business outsourcing and processing which are currently having a signi.cant impact on our economy. These two chapters, while concise, are ones which the EPI might consider expanding as our economy adjusts to these trends as well.

Two appendices describe and detail the authors’ methods regarding family income data and wage analysis comparisons. It is this kind of detail that helps readers and researchers to track the efforts of the authors and tie the chapters into a coherent piece.

This is a significant document for teachers. Lots of graphics, coupled with clear and clean explanation, give marvellous examples and sets of information for classroom use and reference. It is dif.cult to criticize this work. Perhaps more maps could have been provided and perhaps more credit given to Mr Jeff Chapman as the author of Chapter 6, but beyond that, this reviewer is more than pleased with the effort here.

RALPH K. ALLEN,JR
S&R Research, Nine Mile Falls, WA