People, Power, and Profits: Progressive Capitalism for an Age of Discontent

　　我們都明顯地感受到，經濟以及政府，正靠向少數巨頭企業。寥寥數間大公司，便幾乎壟斷整個產業區塊，自訂遊戲規則，科技公司也悄然蒐集更多用戶的數據資料作為己用，而政府則總是訂下種種並不真正以市井小民利益為優先的貿易協商，導致嚴重貧富不均及堪憂的經濟成長率。太多人藉剝削他人得利，而非透過真正的創造財富與價值獲益。

　　雖然我們常對現況感到絕望，但我們並非真的無能為力。我們需要做的，是確保市場運作機制是為眾人而服務，利用市場的優點，且避免部分人士藉由剝削他人獲得過量的利益──改革資本主義Progressive Capitalism──實現均富共榮的社會，把消失的中產階級找回來，並回應當代充滿忿鬱與不平的人民怒吼。

　　以權威的經濟學專業，史迪格里茲為人們指出自由經濟體系正面對的可能危機，並為實現改革資本主義提供具體基礎。指引了一條不同可能的道路，穿越挑戰通往更好的前景。將再次成為一部政治經濟學指標作品。(文/博客來編譯)

We all have the sense that the American economy--and its government--tilts toward big business, but as Joseph E. Stiglitz explains in his new book, People, Power, and Profits, the situation is dire. A few corporations have come to dominate entire sectors of the economy, contributing to skyrocketing inequality and slow growth. This is how the financial industry has managed to write its own regulations, tech companies have accumulated reams of personal data with little oversight, and our government has negotiated trade deals that fail to represent the best interests of workers. Too many have made their wealth through exploitation of others rather than through wealth creation. If something isn't done, new technologies may make matters worse, increasing inequality and unemployment.

Stiglitz identifies the true sources of wealth and of increases in standards of living, based on learning, advances in science and technology, and the rule of law. He shows that the assault on the judiciary, universities, and the media undermines the very institutions that have long been the foundation of America's economic might and its democracy.

Helpless though we may feel today, we are far from powerless. In fact, the economic solutions are often quite clear. We need to exploit the benefits of markets while taming their excesses, making sure that markets work for us--the U.S. citizens--and not the other way around. If enough citizens rally behind the agenda for change outlined in this book, it may not be too late to create a progressive capitalism that will recreate a shared prosperity. Stiglitz shows how a middle-class life can once again be attainable by all.

An authoritative account of the predictable dangers of free market fundamentalism and the foundations of progressive capitalism, People, Power, and Profits shows us an America in crisis, but also lights a path through this challenging time.