Economic Policies in the United States, New York (State) - State & Local History, Northeast & Mid-Atlantic State & Local Government

The New York Idea: An Experiment in Democracy

Name: The New York Idea: An Experiment in Democracy
Author: Mario Cuomo
ISBN: 9780517596449

by Mario Cuomo

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Overview

Repudiating the era of "fend-for-yourself Federalism," New York State's Governor Mario Cuomo looks back over a decade in office and ahead to his state's role in the twenty-first century; in the process he creates a blueprint for restoring the promise of the American Dream not only to the people of New York State, but to all Americans. The New York Idea embraces common sense and compassion: government using its resources to stimulate private-sector growth, then requiring those who benefit to extend in turn an increased measure of hope and opportunity to those on the bottom rungs of the economic ladder. Its application requires a realistic appreciation of the importance of the free market and an intelligent recognition of the legitimate role government can play in supporting and spurring growth. In The New York Idea, Governor Cuomo cites real-world, politically workable instances from his own experience to reveal how such a strategy can succeed. Governor Cuomo sees New York as a microcosm of the United States, and the New York experience - its successes and its failures - instructive to citizens and elected officials - in all states, as America struggles to recover from a decade of failed national policy. The New York Idea is an unprecedented look at the practicalities and possibilities of state government, as envisioned by a sitting governor.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

New York governor Cuomo defines the ``New York Idea'' as ``government using its resources to help create private sector growth, then requiring those who benefit from that growth to share some part of it so that hope and opportunity are extended to those who have not been as fortunate.'' Here he identifies the problems of the nation--with New York state being a perfect microcosm--in 35 essays covering such topics as ``Freedom,'' ``Work'' and ``Justice.'' On education Cuomo reminds us that the Japanese and Germans value education so highly that their students from kindergarten through high school put in four more years of classroom time; a lengthened school year should also be a high priority for Americans. The governor tackles New York bashers by reminding them of the ruthlessness of Reaganomics on his state's economy: since 1976 New York has paid some $150 billion in Federal taxes, more than has been apportioned back from the Federal government. Cuomo warns that the very complex problems of the society--poverty, joblessness, family violence, sexual abuse, addiction--are mutually destructive and have to be tackled on an individual basis. Thought-provoking and insightful, Cuomo's vision powerfully reminds us how we overcame the one-two punch of the Depression and war in the 20th century, and what we have to do if we are to thrive in the 21st century. Photos. (May)

Library Journal

Although Governor Cuomo offers numerous examples in support of his treatise that New York State can serve as a model to the rest of the nation in solving many current problems, his ``New York Idea'' will probably be met with skepticism, if not outright rejection outside the Empire State. Cuomo (More Than Words, LJ 8/93) enthusiastically promotes his philosophy that government should provide the stimulus to create private-sector growth, then use the rewards of that growth to help less-advantaged populations improve their lives. He shows that New York has found legislative or administrative remedies for the economic, human rights, and environmental problems we currently face, but certainly these are not the only answers; there are other success stories outside New York. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 1/94.]-Jill Ortner, Sch. of Information and Lib. Studies, SUNY at Buffalo

Mary Carroll

"The New York idea," says Cuomo, is based on "government using its resources to help create private sector growth, then requiring those who benefit . . . to share some part of it so that hope and opportunity are extended to those who have not been as fortunate." Its central principles are free enterprise and family, plus partnership and balance between government and the private sector. Cuomo sketches his state's responses to the wide range of issues for which states bear primary responsibility in the wake of Reagan-Bush new federalism: from agriculture, physical and intellectual infrastructure, and the environment to technological development, attracting global investment, fighting crime, and improving the lives of children. Cuomo's "progressive pragmatism" urges that "if we can't perfect the world, we can certainly do more to lessen its pain and to realize its promise." Political junkies will want to know more.