In the U.S., the economic recovery since the Great Recession has remained sub-par and beset by persistent fear it might weaken again. Even if that is avoided, the most likely outcome is continued weak growth, accompanied by high unemployment and historically high levels of income inequality. In Europe, the recovery from the Great Recession has been even worse, with the euro zone beset by an unresolved euro crisis that has already contributed to a double-dip recession in the region. This book offers an alternative agenda for shared prosperity to that on offer from mainstream economists. The thinking is rooted in the Keynesian analytic tradition, which has been substantially vindicated by events. However, pure Keynesian macroeconomic analysis is supplemented by a focus on the institutions and policy interventions needed for an economy to generate productive full employment with contained income inequality. Such a perspective can be termed "structural Keynesianism." These are critical times and the public deserves an open debate that does not arbitrarily or ideologically lock out alternative perspectives and policy ideas. The book contains a collection of essays that offer a credible policy program for shared prosperity, rooted in a clear narrative that cuts through the economic confusions that currently bedevil debate.

In 2008 we watched as trillions of dollars vanished before our eyes, enveloped in the crash and burn of Wall Street's bottom line. As working Americans and retirees awake from the aftermath, we're searching for answers and alternatives to the reckless loans and dicey short-term bets that ravaged our savings and retirement assets. Up From Wall Street: The Responsible Investment Alternative makes the case that there are strategic and socially responsible investment paths that have the capacity to rebuild our economy and infrastructure, reinvigorate our cities, and create the highly-anticipated green jobs of the future. Through real-life stories and case studies, Thomas Croft illustrates how the responsible investment of savings assets, pensions, insurance funds, and other trusts can generate positive social, economic, and environmental benefits - along with financial returns. Included in the book is A Field Guide to Responsible Capital, which contains descriptions of investment funds that are together managing over $30 billion and provides a detailed analysis of some of the firms and projects in which they invest. "Anyone with an interest in making sure their savings are put to work in a manner that strengthens our economy must read this volume." -Dr. Tessa Hebb, author of No Small Change: Pension Funds and Corporate Engagement "Up From Wall Street offers a path towards, and real life examples of, investments in private equity and real estate that create value for investors by producing sustainable wealth for businesses, their employees, and communities alike." -David Wood, Director, The Institute for Responsible Investment "This study captures a rising wave of progressive investment activity that will define the 'prudent investor' standard for all investors in the future." -Kirsten Snow Spalding, California Director, Ceres "I hope that ... many of the people who pushed for change in Washington, D.C. across America and our neighbors to the North will read this book." -Richard L. Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO Thomas Croft is an international expert on innovative capital strategies and jobs-oriented economic revitalization policies. He serves as Director of the Heartland Network and Executive Director of the Steel Valley Authority and has authored or commissioned vital new perspectives on alternative pension investment strategies and a fair economy