Alliance for American Manufacturing has published a new book that provides insights into why the US faces another jobless recovery plagued by long term economic weaknesses, even when the current recession technically ends. Citing numerous shortcomings in economic, trade and workforce training policies, the volume is the most up to date and comprehensive overview of American manufacturing explaining its value, the obstacles it faces, and the danger of its continuing demise in the absence of major policy changes.

“Manufacturing a Better Future for America”, written by leading academic and industry experts, outlines why manufacturing is vital to the US economy and provides objective information and analysis on a full range of topics, from the current state of US based producers and industry trends, the history of U.S. trade and industrial policies, and other countries’ unfair trade practices to the impact on workers, society, training, research, and defense.

Mr Richard McCormack editor of the book said that the United States is broke because it has stopped producing what it consumes. He added that "Even an increase in consumer demand will not put Americans back to work as the spending will only help workers making products overseas. Off shoring of production is also of great concern because, United States is not generating enough wealth to pay its mounting and massive debts."

Mr Scott Paul executive director of Alliance for American Manufacturing said that "To build a strong economy that works, we must understand what's really happening today. Much of the conventional wisdom about manufacturing is wrong or out of date. The book provides a fresh look and sets the record straight on myths that skew the economic debate. With its objective analysis, it should spur a more informed national discussion."

The book refutes some widely promoted myths, including that the US economy can thrive with just service industries as good paying jobs are replaced by other sectors. It also debunks the notion that lost manufacturing plants will not mean lost research and development. It details the unfair trading practices China employs, and explains the social costs of the decline in manufacturing. And it outlines recent trends, not only about trade policies and practices, but also the exporting of innovation, the shift away from job training, and the threat to national security.

(Sourced from www.americanmanufacturing.org)