- 1. In 'The Rise and Fall of American Growth,' Robert J. Gordon meticulously examines the economic history of the United States from the onset of the Industrial Revolution to the present day, delineating the transformative impact of technological innovations on productivity and living standards. He argues that the period between 1870 and 1970 was characterized by unprecedented economic growth driven by major inventions such as electricity, the internal combustion engine, and household appliances, which fundamentally altered the way Americans lived and worked. However, Gordon posits that this era of growth is now behind us, as he highlights the stagnation in productivity and innovation in recent decades. He discusses the implications of this decline on income inequality, educational attainment, and social mobility, suggesting that the challenges confronting modern America are deeply rooted in the patterns established during the past century. Ultimately, Gordon's work provokes critical reflection on the sustainable future of economic growth in a society facing demographic changes, globalization, and the limitations of technology to replicate the explosive growth of the past.
Which of these innovations does Gordon highlight as particularly transformative during the Special Century?
A) Credit cards and ATMs
B) Smartphones and social media
C) Indoor plumbing and electricity
D) Nuclear power and space travel
- 2. According to Gordon, what has been the trend in American productivity growth since the 1970s?
A) Complete stagnation
B) Significant slowdown
C) Volatile but increasing
D) Steady acceleration
- 3. What does Gordon argue about the economic impact of recent digital technologies compared to earlier innovations?
A) Their impact cannot yet be measured
B) They have had more limited economic impact
C) They have had greater economic impact
D) They have been equally transformative
- 4. Which of these does Gordon identify as a headwind to future American growth?
A) Rising inequality
B) Excessive innovation
C) Too much government regulation
D) Declining population
- 5. What demographic challenge does Gordon emphasize as limiting future growth?
A) Urban overcrowding
B) Excessive immigration
C) Aging population
D) Declining birth rates
- 6. What does Gordon argue about the sustainability of American living standard improvements?
A) Future improvements will be much slower
B) Living standards will decline absolutely
C) Improvements will accelerate rapidly
D) No significant changes are expected
- 7. What does Gordon suggest about the uniqueness of the Industrial Revolution's impact?
A) It was less important than the Digital Revolution
B) It was a one-time event in human history
C) Similar revolutions occur every century
D) Its impact has been exaggerated
- 8. How does Gordon characterize the period from 1970 to the present compared to the Special Century?
A) As an even more innovative period
B) As essentially identical in growth patterns
C) As a period of slower growth and innovation
D) As a period of economic decline
- 9. How does Gordon view the economic significance of the internet compared to earlier technologies?
A) Equally transformative as the automobile
B) Its impact cannot be compared to older technologies
C) Less economically transformative than electricity or indoor plumbing
D) More transformative than all previous technologies
- 10. What methodological approach does Gordon use to support his arguments?
A) Experimental laboratory studies
B) Theoretical economic models only
C) Survey data and interviews
D) Detailed historical analysis and data
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