Ways for Democrats

Lester Thurow’s The Zero-Sum Society (Basic Books, 1982) provoked a storm of protest from liberals and leftists who charged that Thurow’s emphasis on the need for economic growth represented an abandonment of concern for working people and the poor. Apparently Thurow listened to his critics, for his new book, The Zero-Sum Solution, demonstrates conclusively that liberalism can produce innovative and comprehensive proposals for economic growth with social justice.

Thurow’s program aims to produce a better coordination of America’s social institutions. His proposals include substantial tax reform to channel investment into productivity enhancement; reducing corporate emphasis on short-term profi...