cover image The New York Idea: An Experiment in Democracy

The New York Idea: An Experiment in Democracy

Mario Matthew Cuomo. Crown Publishers, $25 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-517-59644-9

New York governor Cuomo defines the ``New York Idea'' as ``government using its resources to help create private sector growth, then requiring those who benefit from that growth to share some part of it so that hope and opportunity are extended to those who have not been as fortunate.'' Here he identifies the problems of the nation--with New York state being a perfect microcosm--in 35 essays covering such topics as ``Freedom,'' ``Work'' and ``Justice.'' On education Cuomo reminds us that the Japanese and Germans value education so highly that their students from kindergarten through high school put in four more years of classroom time; a lengthened school year should also be a high priority for Americans. The governor tackles New York bashers by reminding them of the ruthlessness of Reaganomics on his state's economy: since 1976 New York has paid some $150 billion in Federal taxes, more than has been apportioned back from the Federal government. Cuomo warns that the very complex problems of the society--poverty, joblessness, family violence, sexual abuse, addiction--are mutually destructive and have to be tackled on an individual basis. Thought-provoking and insightful, Cuomo's vision powerfully reminds us how we overcame the one-two punch of the Depression and war in the 20th century, and what we have to do if we are to thrive in the 21st century. Photos. (May)