Book Review: The Great American Workforce: A Student’s Guide to Work and the Economy by Garrison Moore and Robert Bowman

Abstract

insurance schemes typically administered by governments. Finally, the United States could reinstate workers’ boards to negotiate matters such as minimum wages. This was the system in place in the first decade of the Fair Labor Standards Act, before it was diluted in 1947 by the Portal-to-Portal Act amendments pushed by Republican legislators. Without a doubt, the political right and many business leaders will aggressively challenge Madland’s proposals. Madland recognizes that politics matter. He argues that for his plan to be viable, U.S. voters will need to support pro-labor policies, even those who vote Republican. While he thinks there is a chance this could happen, it is difficult to believe that under our present polarized political landscape such coming together has any chance of success—except, perhaps in some cities and states with large majorities of Democratic voters. That said, one should not give up the fight before it starts. Engaging with the ideas of Madland’s book is important for today’s labor movement, progressives, and everyone else thinking about bold and different institutions that can revitalize labor and rebalance the influence of money and power in all aspects of our country.