More:The Politics of Economic Growth in Postwar America

Collins provides excellent historical coverage of the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that gave rise to a culture of economic growth in the U.S. President Eisenhower, for one, was dubious of the wisdom of heightening economic growth to new levels. Advocates of maximum growth eventually carried the day, leading to the current situation, in which both major political parties try to outdo each other in promising and delivering economic growth, with little attention to the quality of life.