Publisher's Synopsis
For most of the twentieth century, the United States was the world's benchmark for progress. It had the best infrastructure, the most advanced technology, and a booming economy that made it the envy of other nations. But over the past few decades, the country has begun to unravel, reversing the very advancements that once defined it. Instead of continuing forward, it is marching backward, undoing hard-won social, economic, and technological progress. The roads and bridges are crumbling, public services are in decline, wages are stagnant, and basic necessities like housing and healthcare are slipping out of reach for millions. The nation that once set the standard for development is now undeveloping.
In The United States is an Undeveloping Nation, I explore how and why this decline is happening. From attacks on social safety nets and civil rights to the decay of infrastructure and the financialization of housing, this book examines the forces that have systematically dismantled what once made the country a world leader. Drawing upon historical analysis and political research, it lays out how deregulation, corporate influence, and political dysfunction have left the United States fractured, divided, and struggling to maintain even the most basic functions of a modern society. While other developed nations have strengthened their social programs, invested in infrastructure, and embraced renewable energy, the U.S. has resisted these advancements at every turn. This book challenges the assumption that decline is inevitable, asking whether the nation can reclaim its place among the developed world, or if it is doomed to continue its slide into political instability, economic inequality, and social fragmentation.