The Ends of Freedom: Reclaiming America’s Lost Promise of Economic Rights

Paul (planning and public policy, Rutgers Univ.) argues that leaders need to prioritize providing equitable economic rights for all Americans. The book defines economic rights as the freedom to have basic necessities such as housing, employment, and health care. The battle and discussions about it started as early as the Revolutionary War. Drawing from FDR’s proposed Bill of Economic Rights, the author discusses a comprehensive way to create enduring programs, such as more stimulus federal grants and raising wages that are more than the cost of living. The book argues that all Americans should have the right to a good job and access to banking and financial services. The book also suggests changing laws so that grants other than Pell can be given to Americans to have a tuition-free education, and one that comes with academic freedom for its teachers. To actualize these programs, the book calls for changes within the Medicare system and the creation of federal job-guarantees.