In recent times, policy makers, scientists, academics and commentators have become increasingly nervous about the US economic downturn. Discussions have centred around the range and magnitude of the country’s socio-economic problems, its vexing production decline and its unsatisfactory macroeconomic performance, which give rise to the following questions: what are the sources of this recent downfall? And can this situation be reversed by pursuing the same orthodox and neoliberal policies?

This new edited volume, from a top international set of contributors, seeks to answer these questions and to offer alternative, realistic and feasible strategies and policy recommendations towards reversing this situation.

In particular, the volume seeks to challenge US neoliberalism on theoretical and political grounds, and to offer alternative strategies and policies towards addressing the country’s recent challenges and multi-dimensional problems. The volume is structured around three main themes:

1. The return of government: Philosophical issues and ethics
2. Economic policies for sustainable growth and prosperity
3. Financial fragility and alternative monetary policy proposals

This unique and highly topical, multidisciplinary volume, will be of great interest to students and researchers in the areas of economics, political economy and contemporary US politics.