Civics, United States History - Social Aspects, United States Studies - General & Miscellaneous, Ethics & Moral Philosophy - Theoretical, National Characteristics - North America, Social Sciences - General & Miscellaneous

America's Crisis of Values

Name: America's Crisis of Values
Author: Wayne E Baker
ISBN: 9780691117942

by Wayne E Baker

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Overview

This book explores the moral terrain of America today, analyzing the widely held perception that the nation is in moral decline. It looks at the question from a variety of angles, examining traditional values, secular values, religious values, family values, economic values, and others. Using unique data from the World Values Surveys, the largest systematic attempt ever made to document attitudes, values, and beliefs around the world, this book systematically evaluates the perceived crisis of values by comparing America's values with those of over sixty other nations.

About the Author, Wayne E Baker

Wayne E. Baker is Professor of Management and Organizations and Professor of Sociology at the University of Michigan, where he is also Faculty Associate at the Institute for Social Research, and Faculty Associate at the Nonprofit and Public Management Center.

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Editorials

Political Science Quarterly - David Callahan

[T]he arrival of Wayne Baker's important book . . . is a welcome development. . . . By Baker's account, the perceived crisis of values is unlikely to disappear any time soon. One can only hope that pundits and politicians will take some time off from waging culture war to read America's Crisis of Values.

Christian Century - Alan Wolfe

Wayne E. Baker tries to explain why a gap has opened between the public perception that the U.S. is sharply divided and the empirical reality that it is not. . . . America's Crisis of Values is an important book that ought to be included in any seminar designed to provide background reading for our elected politicians.

Perspectives on Politics - James A. McCann

Wayne Baker has produced a thoughtful and engaging work. Scholars interested in public opinion, values, and the discourse surrounding the culture wars in the United States should read America's Crisis of Values.

American Journal of Sociology - Barry Schwartz

[A] deeply provocative book. It raises many questions for further investigation, and it will reward careful study.

Political Science Quarterly

Choice

Anyone concerned about American values in the larger world will be impressed by the elegance and clarity with which Baker treats this complex subject.

Contemporary Sociology

Is America experiencing a crisis of values, as popular media and politics claim? In a word: no. Wayne Baker . . . give[s] the most comprehensive empirical analysis of the topic to date.

Christian Century

Wayne E. Baker tries to explain why a gap has opened between the public perception that the U.S. is sharply divided and the empirical reality that it is not. . . . America's Crisis of Values is an important book that ought to be included in any seminar designed to provide background reading for our elected politicians.
— Alan Wolfe