Synopses & Reviews
"Sheldon Garon is the world's leading historian on household saving, and never has his work been more timely. In Beyond Our Means, he offers outstanding historical scholarship, remarkably engaging reading, and practical insights for addressing our current financial mess."--Michael Sherraden, Washington University in St. Louis
"Beyond Our Means shows that we need more than economics and psychology to determine how societies save and spend. Garon reveals the history of farsighted reformers, politicians, and bankers who actively shaped the norms, incentives, and institutions that turned rising earners into savers. He delivers strong lessons for those who worry about today's overspent America."--Jonathan Morduch, New York University
"Garon's insightful and provocative new book couldn't be more important, and couldn't be more timely. The prosperity of Americans, and America, now depends on creating a nation of savers and investors, and Garon shows us the way by bringing the experience and lessons of nations worldwide right into our hands."--Ray Boshara, senior advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
"This is an important and timely book. It effectively makes the case for viewing savings behavior neither as primarily a cultural trait nor one produced by market forces, but as something fundamentally shaped by policy, politics, and institutions. Beyond Our Means is an uncommon pleasure to read."--Andrew Gordon, author of The Wages of Affluence
"This will be a unique and important book for historians, for policymakers, and for the general public. Beyond Our Means issues an important challenge to cultural explanations that will resonate far beyond the topic of savings. I learned a tremendous amount."--Lawrence B. Glickman, author of Buying Power: A History of Consumer Activism in America
Review
"Garon's policy recommendations could help shift the national trend towards saving more and position Americans towards greater financial health."
--Worth
Review
"[O]ne of the world's leading authorities on the history of saving."
--Joshua Rothman, Boston Globe
Review
"Garon makes a powerful case that savings isn't about culture. It's policy. . . . You'll think about savings policies differently after [you] pick up a copy of
Beyond Our Means."
--Christopher Farrell, economics editor of Marketplace Money
Review
"[A] fascinating new book. . . . Garon believes the tide can turn, and offers some levelheaded policy suggestions for how America can restore a lasting balance between spending and saving."
--Larry Cox, King Features Weekly Service
Review
"How the Anglo-world came to live 'beyond their means . . . while the world saves' is the big question of Sheldon Garon's fascinating book. It could not be more timely. Readers who worry that it might be too technical, do not fear. This is a history of flesh and blood, as Garon reclaims the topic from the economists. Facts and figures are surrounded by real people and rich illustrations that convey how passionate societies came to be about saving. Postal saving has never been so sexy."
--Frank Trentmann, BBC History Magazine
Review
"[A] very important book for critics of capitalism. . . . Garon explains in an ambitious book that roams across centuries and continents . . . why much of Europe and Asia embraced, and stuck with, a savings culture while the US first adopted and then abandoned one. It's intriguing social history."
--Stephen Matchett, Australian
Review
"Professor Garon offers brilliant scholarship, engaging reading, and some practical insights for dealing with our current financial crisis worldwide. An insightful and provocative book that . . . will be a unique and important volume for historians, policymakers, and the general public."
--Claude Ury, San Francisco Book Review
Review
Garon makes a powerful case that savings isn't about culture. It's policy. . . . You'll think about savings policies differently after [you] pick up a copy of Beyond Our Means.
Boston Globe
Review
Garon's policy recommendations could help shift the national trend towards saving more and position Americans towards greater financial health. Worth
Review
[O]ne of the world's leading authorities on the history of saving. Joshua Rothman
Review
Garon's story is interesting and informative when focused on the history of small saving and is a recommended read. Stephen Matchett - Australian
Review
This book is a model for how historians might re-engage with matters of economy and business using the insights and tools developed during the cultural turn. Thomas F. Cargill - Pacific Affairs
Synopsis
Why Americans aren't thrifty and the rest of the world is
If the financial crisis has taught us anything, it is that Americans save too little, spend too much, and borrow excessively. What can we learn from East Asian and European countries that have fostered enduring cultures of thrift over the past two centuries? Beyond Our Means tells for the first time how other nations aggressively encouraged their citizens to save by means of special savings institutions and savings campaigns. The U.S. government, meanwhile, promoted mass consumption and reliance on credit, culminating in the global financial meltdown.
Many economists believe people save according to universally rational calculations, saving the most in their middle years as they plan for retirement, and saving the least in welfare states. In reality, Europeans save at high rates despite generous welfare programs and aging populations. Americans save little, despite weaker social safety nets and a younger population. Tracing the development of such behaviors across three continents from the nineteenth century to today, this book highlights the role of institutions and moral suasion in shaping habits of saving and spending. It shows how the encouragement of thrift was not a relic of indigenous traditions but a modern movement to confront rising consumption. Around the world, messages to save and spend wisely confronted citizens everywhere--in schools, magazines, and novels. At the same time, in America, businesses and government normalized practices of living beyond one's means.
Transnational history at its most compelling, Beyond Our Means reveals why some nations save so much and others so little.
Synopsis
If the financial crisis has taught us anything, it is that Americans save too little, spend too much, and borrow excessively. What can we learn from East Asian and European countries that have fostered enduring cultures of thrift over the past two centuries? Beyond Our Means tells for the first time how other nations aggressively encouraged their citizens to save by means of special savings institutions and savings campaigns. The U.S. government, meanwhile, promoted mass consumption and reliance on credit, culminating in the global financial meltdown.
Many economists believe people save according to universally rational calculations, saving the most in their middle years as they plan for retirement, and saving the least in welfare states. In reality, Europeans save at high rates despite generous welfare programs and aging populations. Americans save little, despite weaker social safety nets and a younger population. Tracing the development of such behaviors across three continents from the nineteenth century to today, this book highlights the role of institutions and moral suasion in shaping habits of saving and spending. It shows how the encouragement of thrift was not a relic of indigenous traditions but a modern movement to confront rising consumption. Around the world, messages to save and spend wisely confronted citizens everywhere--in schools, magazines, and novels. At the same time, in America, businesses and government normalized practices of living beyond one's means.
Transnational history at its most compelling, Beyond Our Means reveals why some nations save so much and others so little.
Synopsis
If the financial crisis has taught us anything, it is that Americans save too little, spend too much, and borrow excessively. What can we learn from East Asian and European countries that have fostered enduring cultures of thrift over the past two centuries? Beyond Our Means tells for the first time how other nations aggressively encouraged their citizens to save by means of special savings institutions and savings campaigns. The U.S. government, meanwhile, promoted mass consumption and reliance on credit, culminating in the global financial meltdown.
Many economists believe people save according to universally rational calculations, saving the most in their middle years as they plan for retirement, and saving the least in welfare states. In reality, Europeans save at high rates despite generous welfare programs and aging populations. Americans save little, despite weaker social safety nets and a younger population. Tracing the development of such behaviors across three continents from the nineteenth century to today, this book highlights the role of institutions and moral suasion in shaping habits of saving and spending. It shows how the encouragement of thrift was not a relic of indigenous traditions but a modern movement to confront rising consumption. Around the world, messages to save and spend wisely confronted citizens everywhere--in schools, magazines, and novels. At the same time, in America, businesses and government normalized practices of living beyond one's means.
Transnational history at its most compelling, Beyond Our Means reveals why some nations save so much and others so little.
Synopsis
"Beyond Our Means shows that we need more than economics and psychology to determine how societies save and spend. Garon reveals the history of farsighted reformers, politicians, and bankers who actively shaped the norms, incentives, and institutions that turned rising earners into savers. He delivers strong lessons for those who worry about today's overspent America."--Jonathan Morduch, New York University
"Sheldon Garon is the world's leading historian on household saving, and never has his work been more timely. In Beyond Our Means, he offers outstanding historical scholarship, remarkably engaging reading, and practical insights for addressing our current financial mess."--Michael Sherraden, Washington University in St. Louis
"Garon's insightful and provocative new book couldn't be more important, and couldn't be more timely. The prosperity of Americans, and America, now depends on creating a nation of savers and investors, and Garon shows us the way by bringing the experience and lessons of nations worldwide right into our hands."--Ray Boshara, senior advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
"This is an important and timely book. It effectively makes the case for viewing savings behavior neither as primarily a cultural trait nor one produced by market forces, but as something fundamentally shaped by policy, politics, and institutions. Beyond Our Means is an uncommon pleasure to read."--Andrew Gordon, author of The Wages of Affluence
"This will be a unique and important book for historians, for policymakers, and for the general public. Beyond Our Means issues an important challenge to cultural explanations that will resonate far beyond the topic of savings. I learned a tremendous amount."--Lawrence B. Glickman, author of Buying Power: A History of Consumer Activism in America
Synopsis
If the financial crisis has taught us anything, it is that Americans save too little, spend too much, and borrow excessively. What can we learn from East Asian and European countries that have fostered enduring cultures of thrift over the past two centuries?
Beyond Our Means tells for the first time how other nations aggressively encouraged their citizens to save by means of special savings institutions and savings campaigns. The U.S. government, meanwhile, promoted mass consumption and reliance on credit, culminating in the global financial meltdown.
Many economists believe people save according to universally rational calculations, saving the most in their middle years as they plan for retirement, and saving the least in welfare states. In reality, Europeans save at high rates despite generous welfare programs and aging populations. Americans save little, despite weaker social safety nets and a younger population. Tracing the development of such behaviors across three continents from the nineteenth century to today, this book highlights the role of institutions and moral suasion in shaping habits of saving and spending. It shows how the encouragement of thrift was not a relic of indigenous traditions but a modern movement to confront rising consumption. Around the world, messages to save and spend wisely confronted citizens everywhere--in schools, magazines, and novels. At the same time, in America, businesses and government normalized practices of living beyond one's means.
Transnational history at its most compelling, Beyond Our Means reveals why some nations save so much and others so little.
Synopsis
"
Beyond Our Means shows that we need more than economics and psychology to determine how societies save and spend. Garon reveals the history of farsighted reformers, politicians, and bankers who actively shaped the norms, incentives, and institutions that turned rising earners into savers. He delivers strong lessons for those who worry about today's overspent America."--Jonathan Morduch, New York University
"Sheldon Garon is the world's leading historian on household saving, and never has his work been more timely. In Beyond Our Means, he offers outstanding historical scholarship, remarkably engaging reading, and practical insights for addressing our current financial mess."--Michael Sherraden, Washington University in St. Louis
"Garon's insightful and provocative new book couldn't be more important, and couldn't be more timely. The prosperity of Americans, and America, now depends on creating a nation of savers and investors, and Garon shows us the way by bringing the experience and lessons of nations worldwide right into our hands."--Ray Boshara, senior advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
"This is an important and timely book. It effectively makes the case for viewing savings behavior neither as primarily a cultural trait nor one produced by market forces, but as something fundamentally shaped by policy, politics, and institutions. Beyond Our Means is an uncommon pleasure to read."--Andrew Gordon, author of The Wages of Affluence
"This will be a unique and important book for historians, for policymakers, and for the general public. Beyond Our Means issues an important challenge to cultural explanations that will resonate far beyond the topic of savings. I learned a tremendous amount."--Lawrence B. Glickman, author of Buying Power: A History of Consumer Activism in America
About the Author
Sheldon Garon is the Nissan Professor of History and East Asian Studies at Princeton University. His books include "Molding Japanese Minds: The State in Everyday Life" (Princeton) and "The State and Labor in Modern Japan".
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Chapter 1: The Origins of Saving in the Western World 17
Chapter 2: Organizing Thrift in the Age of Nation-States 48
Chapter 3: America the Exceptional 84
Chapter 4: Japanese Traditions of Diligence and Thrift 120
Chapter 5: Saving for the New Japan 143
Chapter 6: Mobilizing for the Great War 168
Chapter 7: Save Now, Buy Later: World War II and Beyond 194
Chapter 8: "Luxury is the Enemy": Japan in Peace and War 221
Chapter 9: Postwar Japan's National Salvation 255
Chapter 10. Exporting Thrift, or the Myth of "Asian Values" 292
Chapter 11. "There IS Money. Spend It": America since 1945 317
Chapter 12. Keep on Saving? Questions for the Twenty-fi rst Century 356
Acknowledgments 377
Appendix 381
Abbreviations 383
Notes 385
Selected Bibliography 435
Index 449