cover image Visions and Nightmares: America After Reagan

Visions and Nightmares: America After Reagan

Robert Lekachman. MacMillan Publishing Company, $0 (316pp) ISBN 978-0-02-570231-8

Political economist Lekachman ( Greed Is Not Enough, etc.) examines with dismay the results of ""the Reagan ice age'' and speculates about what to expect after the 1988 election, depending on which elements, if any, of the Republican coalition survive and on whether the Democrats succeed in producing an electable presidential candidate (he favors Cuomo), a coalition of forces and a popular program. In the former case, the author envisages further disastrous polarization between rich and poor, weakening of the Social Security system, civil rights, personal liberties and unions, along with declining productivity if present policies of quick profit vs. long-range growth continue. Lekachman observes in caustic terms that there is no dearth of issues for enterprising Democratshunger of ``epidemic proportions across the nation'' and the need for full employment, comprehensive health care and housing, along with curtailment of ``Pentagon gluttony'' and a fair share of taxes from the rich and corporations. First serial to Dissent. (March 30)