Destructive Creation: American Business And The Winning Of World War Ii (american Business, Politics, And Society)
by Mark R. Wilson /
2016 / English / EPUB
3.1 MB Download
During World War II, the United States helped vanquish the Axis
powers by converting its enormous economic capacities into
military might. Producing nearly two-thirds of all the munitions
used by Allied forces, American industry became what President
Franklin D. Roosevelt called "the arsenal of democracy." Crucial
in this effort were business leaders. Some of these captains of
industry went to Washington to coordinate the mobilization, while
others led their companies to churn out weapons. In this way, the
private sector won the war—or so the story goes.
During World War II, the United States helped vanquish the Axis
powers by converting its enormous economic capacities into
military might. Producing nearly two-thirds of all the munitions
used by Allied forces, American industry became what President
Franklin D. Roosevelt called "the arsenal of democracy." Crucial
in this effort were business leaders. Some of these captains of
industry went to Washington to coordinate the mobilization, while
others led their companies to churn out weapons. In this way, the
private sector won the war—or so the story goes.
Based on new research in business and military archives,
Based on new research in business and military archives,Destructive Creation
Destructive Creation shows that the enormous mobilization
effort relied not only on the capacities of private companies but
also on massive public investment and robust government
regulation. This public-private partnership involved plenty of
government-business cooperation, but it also generated antagonism
in the American business community that had lasting repercussions
for American politics. Many business leaders, still engaged in
political battles against the New Deal, regarded the wartime
government as an overreaching regulator and a threatening rival.
In response, they mounted an aggressive campaign that touted the
achievements of for-profit firms while dismissing the value of
public-sector contributions. This probusiness story about
mobilization was a political success, not just during the war,
but afterward, as it shaped reconversion policy and the
transformation of the American military-industrial complex.
shows that the enormous mobilization
effort relied not only on the capacities of private companies but
also on massive public investment and robust government
regulation. This public-private partnership involved plenty of
government-business cooperation, but it also generated antagonism
in the American business community that had lasting repercussions
for American politics. Many business leaders, still engaged in
political battles against the New Deal, regarded the wartime
government as an overreaching regulator and a threatening rival.
In response, they mounted an aggressive campaign that touted the
achievements of for-profit firms while dismissing the value of
public-sector contributions. This probusiness story about
mobilization was a political success, not just during the war,
but afterward, as it shaped reconversion policy and the
transformation of the American military-industrial complex.
Offering a groundbreaking account of the inner workings of the
"arsenal of democracy,"
Offering a groundbreaking account of the inner workings of the
"arsenal of democracy,"Destructive Creation
Destructive Creation also suggests
how the struggle to define its heroes and villains has continued
to shape economic and political development to the present day.
also suggests
how the struggle to define its heroes and villains has continued
to shape economic and political development to the present day.