Ch06 - The American System of Political Economy

This excerpt from The Clash of the Two Americas focuses on the American System of Political Economy, which was championed by Alexander Hamilton, Abraham Lincoln and Henry Clay. This system is contrasted with the British Free Trade model favoured by Adam Smith. The American System prioritises national sovereignty, large-scale infrastructure projects, and investments in research and development to boost the productive powers of labour and national economic growth. The author argues that the American System is superior, as it encourages human creative reason and fosters a win-win system of international cooperation. The excerpt details the historical struggle between these two systems, highlighting the successes of the American System under Hamilton and Lincoln, as well as its eventual subversion by British influence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.