The America We Want

Abstract

This volume aims to stimulate new ideas for American public policy. It is based on the notion that “learning” is paramount to a country’s long-term success. We believe that to be effective in the 21st century America must look beyond orthodoxy to learn from across countries and disciplines. As a result, American public policy must be examined through a multidisciplinary lens and learn from the different approaches of economists, political scientists, business leaders, medical professionals, government leaders, and diplomats, among others. By considering successful case studies of public administration and economic management around the world, American policymakers, academics, and the public at large will be able to think creatively about possible solutions to the challenges that the country faces. This international and multidisciplinary approach is needed to overcome America’s “resting-on-one’s- laurels syndrome,” in order to resist the inward-looking tendencies that come from decades of unquestioned world primacy, and redress what we see as a dangerous isolationism in American public policy and American society overall.