""Powerful, compelling, and well researched... demolishes what may be the most destructive myth in America."" -David Korten, author of Agenda for a New Economy
The Self-Made Myth exposes the false claim that business success is the result of heroic individual effort with little or no outside help. Brian Miller and Mike Lapham not only bust the myth; they present profiles of business leaders who recognize the public investments and supports that made their success possible-including Warren Buffett, Ben Cohen of Ben and Jerry's, New Belgium Brewing CEO Kim Jordan, and others. The book also thoroughly demolishes the claims of supposedly self-made individuals such as Donald Trump and Ross Perot. How we view the creation of wealth and individual success is critical because it shapes our choices on taxes, regulation, public investments in schools and infrastructure, CEO pay, and more. It takes a village to raise a business-and it's time to recognize that fact.
By:
Brian Miller,
Mike Lapham
Foreword by:
Bill Gates,
Chuck Collins
Imprint: Berrett-Koehler
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 217mm,
Width: 141mm,
Spine: 13mm
Weight: 308g
ISBN: 9781609945060
ISBN 10: 1609945069
Pages: 216
Publication Date: 01 January 2018
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Foreword by Bill Gates, Sr. Foreword by Chuck Collins Preface Introduction: Public Policy and the Success Narrative Chapter 1–The Self-Made Myth Origins of the Self-Made Myth Modern Myth and the Titans of Industry Fueling an Anti-Government Narrative Chapter 2–Busting the Myth Making the Invisible Visible Donald Trump: FHA Housing, Imminent Domain, and Bank Bailouts H. Ross Perot, Sr.: Medicare, Medicaid, and the Right Connections Box: Social Mobility and the Rags to Riches Story Koch Brothers: Money, Power, and Public Subsidies Summary: Cleaning the Slate Chapter 3–The Built-Together Reality of Individual Success Roots of the Built-Together Reality The Role of Individual Effort and Leadership Unequal Opportunities and Historical Timing Society’s Contributions to Individual Success Chapter 4–Stories of Success and the Common Good About the Profiles Jerry Fiddler: “Public support for education helped get me where I am.” Glynn Lloyd: Food safety inspections help me and my customers Reality Check: Highways and Transportation Thelma Kidd: Taxes are just the price of doing business Warren Buffett: “This Society Disproportionately Values What I Do Well” Martin Rothenberg: “My Success was Paid For by Others” Box: Higher Education and Individual Success Kim Jordan: The idea of a self-made person is ridiculous. Anirvan Chatterjee: Leaving the ladder down behind him Reality Check: Building the Internet Peter Barnes: Wealth Comes Out of the Commons Amy Domini: Regulation Makes My Industry Possible Reality Check: Government Regulation in Finance Nikhil Arora: “It Takes a Village to Raise a Business” Ben Cohen: “Holding the Business in Trust for the Community.” Gun Denhart: “There’s No Way I’ve Done This By Myself.” Reality Check: Technical Innovation, Research, and Development Abigail Disney: Wealth and the Next Generation Jim Sherblom: What Will Our Economy Offer for the Next Generation? Chapter 5–Policy Implications and the Public Investment Imperative Shifting Perspectives and the Built-Together Reality A Note on the Role of Government Tax Policies for the Built-Together Reality Investing in America and Paying it Forward Ensuring the Framework of the Economy is Fair Conclusion: A Call to Action Using Your Voice Responsible Wealth in Action About the Authors About Responsible Wealth About United for a Fair Economy Acknowledgments Endnotes Index
Brian Miller is executive director of United for a Fair Economy (UFE), drawing on nearly twenty years as a community organizer, coalition leader, media spokesperson, writer, and nonprofit director. Mike Lapham is the project director, a cofounder, and a member of UFE's Responsible Wealth project, a network of over 700 business leaders and wealthy individuals.
Reviews for The Self-Made Myth: And the Truth About How Government Helps Individuals and Businesses Succeed
This book challenges a central myth that underlies today's antigovernment rhetoric: that an individual's success is the result of gumption and hard work alone. Miller and Lapham clearly show that personal success is closely tied to the supports society provides. Must reading for all who want to get our nation back on track. --Robert Reich, former US Secretary of Labor; Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley; and author of Aftershock Miller and Lapham debunk the self-made myth that has been bought and sold by the corporate media. I urge anyone who cares about forging a more just and fair economy to buy this book and take its smart ideas to heart. --Katrina vanden Heuvel, Editor and Publisher, The Nation After decades of disingenuous bashing of community and our common interests, this book serves as a reality check, reminding us that no one can survive without the contributions of the rest of us. --Carol Moseley Braun, former US Senator
