Head to head : the coming economic battle among Japan, Europe, and America

The classic text on the post-Cold War economic battle. Starting with the fall of communism, influential economist and former dean of MIT's Sloan School of Management Lester Thurow deftly explores how head-to-head competition -- not military might -- among Japan, the United States, and the newly united European countries would produce the next world leader. As Thurow explains, in the 1990s the race for economic supremacy was only just beginning. In a world no longer governed by two military superpowers, the stage was set for a dramatic shoot-out among the world's most powerful national economies. Using analytical data, key insights, and common sense, Thurow presents a solid economic game plan for the United States to follow in order to win this battle and attain dominance in the global economy. "With the dismantling of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the implosion of the USSR in 1991, the Cold War era has ended." "Immediately, a new economic struggle begins. Three economic superpowers emerge, each playing the game of capitalism in a strikingly different manner. And for the first time, the United States is the second largest economy in the world." "As the domestic economy stagnates and the deficit financing of the federal government escalates, many Americans see themselves at a turning point. And well they might." "In Head to Head, one of America's most influential economists provides his dynamic assessment of the emerging economic landscape: the rules of this new three-way competition; the strengths and weaknesses of the players; the information we need to win." "Head to Head is full of surprises; one attribute of the new competition is that radical new skills and radical new ways of thinking are vital to success. For example:" "Competition and Cooperation. In the 1990s, there will be no clear winners, but losers might be destroyed. The ability to cooperate effectively with your direct adversary will be a requisite for survival." "Resources. If we are to thrive in this new environment, our whole notion of essential resources must be overhauled before the year 2000." "Key Industries. There are seven key industries vital to the maintenance of a high standard of living. How can we maintain competitiveness in those industries over the coming decade and beyond?" "Education. Education is the most potent weapon of the new warfare. How can we close the education gap?" "Teams. How can Americans learn to become team players in new and unfamiliar ways?"--Jacket As the domestic economy stagnates and the deficit financing of the federal government escalates, many Americans see themselves at a turning point. Here, Thurow provides an assessment of the emerging economic landscape and the rules of the new three-way competition between Japan, Europe and the USA.