Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
0 ratings
Ebook274 pages6 hours
Stuck in Neutral: Business and the Politics of Human Capital Investment Policy
Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
()
About this ebook
According to conventional wisdom, big business wields enormous influence over America's political agenda and is responsible for the relatively limited scale of the country's social policies. In Stuck in Neutral, however, Cathie Jo Martin challenges that view, arguing that big business has limited involvement in social policy and in many instances desires broader social interventions.
Combining hundreds of in-depth interviews with careful quantitative analysis, Martin shows that there is strong support among managers for government-sponsored training, health, work, and family initiatives to enhance workers' skills and productivity. This support does not translate into political action, surprisingly, because big firms are not organized to intervene effectively. Every large company has its own staff to deal with government affairs, but overarching organizations for the most part lobby ineffectively for the collective interests of big business in the social realm. By contrast, small firms, which cannot afford to lobby the government directly, rely on representative associations to speak for them. The unified voice of small business comes through much more clearly in policy circles than the diverse messages presented by individual corporations, ensuring that the small-business agenda of limited social policy prevails.
A vivid portrayal of the interplay between business and politics, Stuck in Neutral offers a fresh take on some of the most controversial issues of our day. It is a must read for anyone interested in the past, present, and future of the American welfare state and political economy.
Read more from Cathie Jo Martin
Related to Stuck in Neutral
Titles in the series (60)
Political Parties and the State: The American Historical Experience Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPrisoners of Myth: The Leadership of the Tennessee Valley Authority, 1933-1990 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFacing Up to the American Dream: Race, Class, and the Soul of the Nation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uneasy Alliances: Race and Party Competition in America Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Transformation of American Politics: Activist Government and the Rise of Conservatism Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBound by Our Constitution: Women, Workers, and the Minimum Wage Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhy Movements Succeed or Fail: Opportunity, Culture, and the Struggle for Woman Suffrage Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Presidential Party Building: Dwight D. Eisenhower to George W. Bush Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStuck in Neutral: Business and the Politics of Human Capital Investment Policy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Rise of the Agricultural Welfare State: Institutions and Interest Group Power in the United States, France, and Japan Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPolitical Foundations of Judicial Supremacy: The Presidency, the Supreme Court, and Constitutional Leadership in U.S. History Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsImperiled Innocents: Anthony Comstock and Family Reproduction in Victorian America Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Still a House Divided: Race and Politics in Obama's America Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Litigation State: Public Regulation and Private Lawsuits in the U.S. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Fifth Freedom: Jobs, Politics, and Civil Rights in the United States, 1941-1972 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsElecting the Senate: Indirect Democracy before the Seventeenth Amendment Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Dividing Lines: The Politics of Immigration Control in America Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Forged Consensus: Science, Technology, and Economic Policy in the United States, 1921-1953 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFighting for the Speakership: The House and the Rise of Party Government Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhy We Vote: How Schools and Communities Shape Our Civic Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhy Is There No Labor Party in the United States? Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Fighting for Democracy: Black Veterans and the Struggle Against White Supremacy in the Postwar South Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDry Bones Rattling: Community Building to Revitalize American Democracy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Rise of the Conservative Legal Movement: The Battle for Control of the Law Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShaping Race Policy: The United States in Comparative Perspective Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLooking for Rights in All the Wrong Places: Why State Constitutions Contain America's Positive Rights Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBlack and Blue: African Americans, the Labor Movement, and the Decline of the Democratic Party Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How Policies Make Citizens: Senior Political Activism and the American Welfare State Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Disjointed Pluralism: Institutional Innovation and the Development of the U.S. Congress Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIn the Shadow of the Garrison State: America's Anti-Statism and Its Cold War Grand Strategy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related ebooks
The US Labor Market: Questions and Challenges for Public Policy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeyond Entitlement Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRe-Union: How Bold Labor Reforms Can Repair, Revitalize, and Reunite the United States Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEconomic Turbulence: Is a Volatile Economy Good for America? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe New Heart at Work: Stories and Strategies for Building Self-Esteem and Reawakening the Soul at Work Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDemocracy Is Not a Spectator Sport: The Ultimate Volunteer Handbook Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOrganizing America: Wealth, Power, and the Origins of Corporate Capitalism Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The New Enlightenment: A Twenty-First Century Peaceful American Revolution Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMasters of Nothing: How the crash will happen again unless we understand human nature Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Welfare Experiments: Politics and Policy Evaluation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMarkets and Majorities Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRebooting Capitalism: How We Can Forge a Society That Works for Everyone Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Future of Democracy: Developing the Next Generation of American Citizens Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Permanent Tax Revolt: How the Property Tax Transformed American Politics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIs That a Politician in Your Pocket: Washington on $2 Million a Day Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Money and Politics: The Corrosive Effect of Money on Politics in Australia Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Great Tradeoff: Confronting Moral Conflicts in the Era of Globalization Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCapitalizing on Change: A Social History of American Business Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Horizontal Equity, Uncertainty, and Economic Well-being Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSize Matters: Why We Love to Hate Big Food Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsProsperity, Poverty or Extinction?: Humanity's Choices Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDemographic Deception: Exposing the Overpopulation Myth and Building a Resilient Future Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Lost World: The Nations Health Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Labour Party under Ed Miliband: Trying but failing to renew social democracy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPeople Power: The Community Organizing Tradition of Saul Alinsky Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMadmen, Intellectuals, and Academic Scribblers: The Economic Engine of Political Change Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5California Dreaming: Lessons on How to Resolve America's Public Pension Crisis Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe High Cost of Good Intentions: A History of U.S. Federal Entitlement Programs Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Embracing the Passion: Christian Youthwork and Politics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Politics For You
Daily Stoic: A Daily Journal On Meditation, Stoicism, Wisdom and Philosophy to Improve Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Get Trump: The Threat to Civil Liberties, Due Process, and Our Constitutional Rule of Law Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The U.S. Constitution with The Declaration of Independence and The Articles of Confederation Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Great Reset: And the War for the World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Blackout: How Black America Can Make Its Second Escape from the Democrat Plantation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race: The Sunday Times Bestseller Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Cult of Trump: A Leading Cult Expert Explains How the President Uses Mind Control Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Republic by Plato Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Capitalism and Freedom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Disloyal: A Memoir: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ever Wonder Why?: and Other Controversial Essays Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Gulag Archipelago [Volume 1]: An Experiment in Literary Investigation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fear: Trump in the White House Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Elite Capture: How the Powerful Took Over Identity Politics (And Everything Else) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Madness of Crowds: Gender, Race and Identity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America's Secret Government Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related podcast episodes
Economic Insecurity, American Values, & the Politics of Resentment in the 2016 Election 0% found this document usefulThe Links Between Productivity and Pay 0% found this document usefulValuing Care: Principles for a Post-Pandemic Care Economy 0% found this document useful164: Building an Organizational Culture of Advocacy (Eric Mitchell) 0% found this document usefulEric Beinhocker & Diane Coyle on Rethinking Economics for A Sustainable & Prosperous World (EPE 02) 0% found this document usefulQuality Jobs for All: What Would It Take? 0% found this document usefulWill Davies - The Happiness Industry: Mad in America: Science, Psychiatry and Social Justice 0% found this document usefulAgainst The Clock: What A New Stimulus Package Could Mean For You 0% found this document usefulZero-Sum Politics: Heather McGhee on How Racism Hurts Us All 0% found this document usefulNick Deiuliis on the Balance Between Clean Energy Transition and Energy Security 0% found this document usefulDouble Bottom Line: The Business Benefits of Employee Financial Well-Being 0% found this document usefulThe 1099 Economy: Exploring a New Social Contract for Employers, Employees, and Society 0% found this document usefulAging Goes to Washington! — The Alliance for Longevity Initiatives (Sonia Arrison and Dylan Livingston) 0% found this document usefulLabour’s charm offensive, social media burnout and stimulating philanthropy 0% found this document usefulBONUS: Carrie Ellen Phillips, Penny Abeywardena, and Oxiris Bardot | Mothers in the Covid era 0% found this document usefulHas the First Job Disappeared? Connecting Young Workers to Employers and Career-Building Work Experiences 0% found this document usefulCM 086: Keith Payne on the Surprising Effects of Feeling Unequal: Most of us are aware of the negative effects of income inequality on health and well-being. But few of us realize that just seeing yourself as unequal can produce the same results. Keith Payne, author of the book, 100% found this document useful
Related articles
The Final Countdown New Zealand ListenerArticle
The Final Countdown
Oct 16, 2023
I have come to the conclusion that young people today believe the older generation have made a mess of looking after the planet (“Up and counting”, October 7). I believe they are correct. My proposal to amend the voting age: at 16, you get one vote;
7 min readThe Controlling Force New PhilosopherArticle
The Controlling Force
Jan 29, 2019
4 min readThe Case for Less Political Reporting The AtlanticArticle
The Case for Less Political Reporting
Apr 12, 2023
7 min read40 Ways Forward Time Magazine International EditionArticle
40 Ways Forward
May 14, 2021
27 min readThe Global Rise of Unhappiness: WHAT LEADERS CAN DO Rotman ManagementArticle
The Global Rise of Unhappiness: WHAT LEADERS CAN DO
Jan 1, 2023
11 min read40 Ways Forward TIMEArticle
40 Ways Forward
May 14, 2021
27 min readWe Asked, You Answered: Does U.S. Foreign Aid Raise Living Standards? NPRArticle
We Asked, You Answered: Does U.S. Foreign Aid Raise Living Standards?
May 31, 2017
2 min readThe Atlantic Daily: Showing an Interest The AtlanticArticle
The Atlantic Daily: Showing an Interest
Mar 15, 2017
4 min readCommentary: A Basic Income Guarantee Would Make Our Government More Humane And Revitalize Our Economy Chicago TribuneArticle
Commentary: A Basic Income Guarantee Would Make Our Government More Humane And Revitalize Our Economy
Apr 20, 2022
3 min readChina's Moralising Of Public Policy Risks Eroding Gains In Human Welfare This Week in AsiaArticle
China's Moralising Of Public Policy Risks Eroding Gains In Human Welfare
Aug 30, 2023
The Chinese government's reaction to the country's persistent youth unemployment highlights a worrying tendency to apply simplistic, moralistic reasoning to complex problems. Editorials in state media encourage young people to "embrace struggle" and
5 min readRunning On Empty New Zealand ListenerArticle
Running On Empty
Nov 6, 2023
In reply to “Under the pump” (October 28), in 1976, the Listener published a small advertisement notifying readers of a published report, Tragic inefficiency of New Zealand’s neglected ambulance services. This led to 250 copies being distributed thro
7 min readSolutions Wanted: No Matter Where They Come From The Christian Science MonitorArticle
Solutions Wanted: No Matter Where They Come From
Apr 2, 2021
For many, universal basic income veers toward socialism. But what if solutions were measured by their effects rather than their political affiliation?
2 min readDrug Testing for Welfare Recipients in Australia Raises Discrimination and Privacy Concerns Global VoicesArticle
Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients in Australia Raises Discrimination and Privacy Concerns
May 18, 2017
3 min readThe Persona Project and the Future of Democratic Capitalism Rotman ManagementArticle
The Persona Project and the Future of Democratic Capitalism
May 1, 2017
GREG IS A 28-YEAR OLD HR MANAGER living in Phoenix, Arizona. He’s got a Master’s degree in Labour Relations, a salary in excess of $100,000 a year and a lot of ambition. In fact, he’s got a list of 22 goals — personal and professional — that he regul
11 min read“Award Winner” North & SouthArticle
“Award Winner”
Aug 11, 2019
Congratulations to deputy editor Joanna Wane (left), who won the trophy for Excellence in Emergency Communication at the 2019 EMPA Awards for her January cover story Safe as Houses? A non-profit organisation that operates in both Australia and New Ze
6 min readBill Gates Addresses 'Tough Questions' On Poverty And Power NPRArticle
Bill Gates Addresses 'Tough Questions' On Poverty And Power
Feb 13, 2018
The billionaire philanthropist says the country needs a simpler system to help the poor navigate housing, health care and job opportunities.
3 min readAre We Trading Our Happiness for Modern Comforts? The AtlanticArticle
Are We Trading Our Happiness for Modern Comforts?
Oct 22, 2020
6 min readWhy More Philanthropists Are Giving Before They Die The AtlanticArticle
Why More Philanthropists Are Giving Before They Die
Nov 26, 2017
6 min readLooking for Answers to the World’s Biggest Challenges in the Eternal City TIMEArticle
Looking for Answers to the World’s Biggest Challenges in the Eternal City
Dec 3, 2016
2 min readYou Can’t Grow Toilet Paper New Zealand ListenerArticle
You Can’t Grow Toilet Paper
Jul 17, 2022
Name Withheld (Letters, July 16) says there was no Winz in the 1960s. It wasn’t called Winz, but it existed: on April 1, 1939, the Social Security Department was established. We do not all “have loads of kids”. Some beneficiaries have none. My brothe
9 min readEditor’s Letter The Big IssueArticle
Editor’s Letter
Jun 12, 2023
The latest attempt to see if a universal basic income can work comes in a trial launched in Jarrow, in the north-east of England, and in East Finchley, in North London. Thirty people between those two locations will each receive £1,600 a month for tw
2 min readThe Atlantic Daily: Appeal and Delay The AtlanticArticle
The Atlantic Daily: Appeal and Delay
Mar 23, 2017
4 min readWhen Nudge Comes To Shove MoneyWeekArticle
When Nudge Comes To Shove
Oct 27, 2023
6 min readOphelia Dahl On Her Radcliffe Prize And Lessons Learned From Paul Farmer And Her Youth NPRArticle
Ophelia Dahl On Her Radcliffe Prize And Lessons Learned From Paul Farmer And Her Youth
May 26, 2023
7 min readTax And Spend New Zealand ListenerArticle
Tax And Spend
Jul 16, 2023
“Coalition of the willing” (Hardship & Hope Part 1, July 15) is an excellent starting point for an informed and justice-focused discussion of a taxation policy that serves the common good in New Zealand. Quite simply, the needs of the poor need to ta
7 min readStockton’s Basic-Income Experiment Pays Off The AtlanticArticle
Stockton’s Basic-Income Experiment Pays Off
Mar 3, 2021
4 min readUnion Rebound? AFL-CIO’s Shuler Sees Promise, Long Road Ahead. The Christian Science MonitorArticle
Union Rebound? AFL-CIO’s Shuler Sees Promise, Long Road Ahead.
Sep 1, 2022
A newly released poll heading into Labor Day weekend shows a near-record 71% of Americans approve of labor unions, up from 64% just before the pandemic. Yet that Gallup poll stands in contrast to some raw math: Just 1 in 10 workers on U.S. payrolls a
3 min readVaping Under A Cloud New Zealand ListenerArticle
Vaping Under A Cloud
May 28, 2023
7 min readVaping Under A Cloud New Zealand ListenerArticle
Vaping Under A Cloud
May 28, 2023
7 min readHope Is A Dangerous Thing – But It Can Be Found In Local Activism Moya Lothian-McLean Guardian WeeklyArticle
Hope Is A Dangerous Thing – But It Can Be Found In Local Activism Moya Lothian-McLean
Apr 15, 2022
3 min read
Reviews for Stuck in Neutral
Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
0 ratings
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Stuck in Neutral - Cathie Jo Martin
Enjoying the preview?
Page 1 of 1