The Conservative Nanny State: How the Wealthy Use the Government to Stay Rich and Get Richer

In a short, information-rich book, Baker puts the assumptions of modern economies under the magnifying glass and shows that many things considered fundamental are just choices— which have costs that we should consider when making policy. He offers a wealth of evidence that conservatives are just as happy to engage in distortions of the free market as liberals, but toward different ends: redistributing wealth upward instead of downward. Baker provides a number of ideas for alternative ways to reformulate our policy toward different ends, but this is a book for starting debates, not finishing them. Even if you disagree with him, this is an excellent chance to rethink the fundamentals of economics.

The book is published under a Creative show more Commons license and can be read online. show less

Baker’s argument is that the conservative vision depends as much or more on government intervention in the market than the liberal vision does. The book is pretty convincing in making that argument. Examples include deliberate trade policy geared toward the wealthy, "small business" incentives, and intellectual property laws that create property rights out of thin air. Baker does a bang-up job poking holes in the conservative myths as well as pointing out many of the problems with our governments economic policies.

(Full review at my blog)

I picked up this book because of the author's claim to speak against the media's claims that the nation/state do nothing but funnel money and aide to the freeloading poor. This is my interpretation. I've heard the poor described as much worse by certain groups and less by others.
What I liked about the book is the author''s research in listing many ways the nation/state has written laws and procedures to give aide and benefit to the wealthy. He makes a claim that each and every item results in 'the rich get richer and the poor get poorer'. unfortunately, any average individual will see that some of the items are just plains trivial and laughable because they either really benefit the whole or because of today's consumer are extremely show more trivial. I didn't let this bother me too much because the author also listed several items that I considered downright criminal and represented truth to power.
A good balance to many politicians and media groups attempt to oversimplify life's complex issues. show less

Excellent, particularly on barriers to free trade in high income professional services and patents. I liked the fresh way he framed his discussion of corporate income taxes, but I don't think he really addressed the substance of whether it should be raised, lowered, or left alone. I'd describe Baker as a left libertarian, maybe. I enjoy it.

The best economics book I've ever read. Also serves as a great introduction to reality-based economics for those with little background in the subject.