Bibliogr. p. 273-278. Notes bibliogr. Index

After six decades of continuously rising living standards, economic growth in the West has come to an abrupt halt. As politicians and economists squabble over how best to rescue flagging economies, Stephen D. king, author of Losing Control, argues that there are no easy answers to the West's predicament, and explains why quick-fix solutions like quantitative easing have failed to deliver the desired results. Ultimately, King suggests in this compelling book, we have come to expect too much. During the age of affluence, we made promises to ourselves that are only achievable through ongoing economic expansion. Before long, the future benefits we expect - pensions, healthcare, and social security, for examples - will cost more than Western economies can afford. Drawing on historical lessons from the French Revolution to battles over austerity in the 1930s, king argues that economic stagnation often leads to political and social upheaval, as everyday life becomes increasingly precarious and divisions deepen between young and old, rich and poor. Can we escape a future of resentment and rising inequality? Possibly; but King warns that turning our economies around will require some painful - but necessary - decisions. [4e de couv.]