'Mr. Spulber lucidly discusses US economic growth over the past four decades, focusing on the changing nature of government-business relations, the strength of US technological progress and the 'proliferation of strategic international alliances, joint venture mergers, and acquisitions of foreign firms' in which the US plays the leading role.' Charles Wolf, Jr, Wall Street Journal 'Professor Spulber's book gives a balanced response to 'declinists' and advocates of industrial policy. He reminds us that a free, market economy corrects its mistakes and moves forward without the wastes of planning.' Allan H. Meltzer, Carnegie Mellon University 'This book makes a contribution in its effective criticism of industrial planning, as the concept has come to be called, and its discussion of the problems and promises of technological change. Professor Spulber provides a consistent and effective counterpoint to such centralized planning as Robert Heilbroner, Albert Gore, Robert Reich, and others have called for.' Gene Smiley, Marquette University '… a welcome contrast to much of the polemical literature in this area, being firmly grounded in economic analysis and quantitative evidence but remaining accessible and clearly written.' Economic History Review