Introduction
The economic growth of the United States is usually determined by a variety of outside and inside factors, including politics and technological innovations. In this paper, the analysis of two sources will help comprehend better the idea of American economic power and powerlessness regarding its past and current achievements. Trosper (2009) evaluates the economic development of indigenous people, defining them as a complex and civilized nation that is able to play the noble save spin game and gain victory.
Shiller (2016) uses Trump’s example of how to motivate people and make them believe in the revolution even if poverty and powerlessness cannot be avoided. Both articles contribute to an understanding of the relationships between such fields as politics, economy, ecological economy, and empirical research.
Trosper and the Lessons of Indigenous People
The main argument of the chosen chapter includes the discussion of political developments and public consumption that were and are observed in the United States, emphasizing the role of the noble savage spin. Trosper (2009) provokes using the spin system in order to prove the success of the past experience that leads to the environment and conservation. This process begins with the identification of an idea and its use by a famous person. Then the image should be proved as wrong, as well as the conclusion made by the chosen celebrity. Finally, it is expected to introduce a new argument and make sure people accept it.
As the main evidence, the author uses the speeches of such famous politicians, economists, and environmentalists as Albert Gore, Matt Ridley, and Terry Anderson. Rousseau’s idea of a man as a savage who stays uncorrupted by society is used as the background concept in Trosper’s discussion. In this chapter, there are several extracts from public speeches and articles that can be easily checked online or using the references given at the end of the book. The peculiar feature of this source is the author’s intention to intertwine politics, economy, and ecological economics through the prism of empirical analysis, evaluating ecology and conservation, people’s stereotypes and racial judgments, and recent achievements.
Shiller and False Trump’s Triumph
The central idea of the article written by Shiller is the US presidential elections and the factors that contributed to Trump’s victory. The author underlines that people were inspired by the idea that it is possible to “make America great again” without even thinking about the methods that can be offered (Shiller, 2016). They want to have enough economic powers to control their lives, and Trump promised them to make it happen.
His triumph is defined as revolution and supported by those who consider aggressiveness as power evidence (Shiller, 2016). No clear evidence was given to support the main argument, and it is reasonable to consider this article a purely subjective source of information. Even the author’s reference to the books by Scheve and Stasavage or Cramer does not remove a considerable portion of subjectivity and prejudice in this article. Still, the credibility of Shiller’s ideas and approach can be checked through these books and the results of elections.
The article relates to many fields that promote social growth and prosperity. For example, its relation to the economy can be traced through the discussion of economic power and powerlessness after Trump’s attempts to inspire people. Ecological economics aspects can be evaluated through the rise of information technology and innovations. Empirical research remains a significant part of this article as the author use evidence and personal observations to interpret information and share the results with the reader.
Conclusion
The works by Shiller and Trosper are characterized by a number of strong aspects that depict the nature of the American economy and politics. Trosper finds it necessary to focus on past achievements and decisions that lead to successful conservation today. Shiller investigates modern steps in the field of politics and their relation to the US economy. Both sources introduce an interesting image of American resilience and progress regardless of the mistakes that cannot be neglected.
References
Shiller, R. (2016). Why did US voters back Trump? Economic powerlessness. The Guardian. Web.
Trosper, R. (2009). Resilience, reciprocity and ecological economics: Northwest Coast sustainability. New York, NY: Routledge.