Bruce Bartlett

Bruce Bartlett is an American historian, economist and journalist who served as a domestic policy advisor to President Ronald Reagan and as a Treasury official under President George H.W. Bush. He gained prominence as an early advocate of supply-side economics in the 1970s and has written extensively about economic policy and political history. Throughout his career, Bartlett has authored several influential books including "Reaganomics: Supply-Side Economics in Action" and "The New American Economy: The Failure of Reaganomics and a New Way Forward." His later works have been notable for their critical analysis of Republican economic policies and the evolution of conservative fiscal thinking. In recent years, Bartlett has become known for his willingness to challenge orthodox Republican positions and critique contemporary conservative economic policies. His writing regularly appears in major publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes, where he analyzes current economic issues and fiscal policy debates. Having worked within Republican administrations while later becoming one of their notable critics, Bartlett offers a unique perspective on the transformation of American economic policy over the past several decades. His books and commentary frequently examine the historical roots of economic policies and their real-world impacts on the American economy.

Readers appreciate Bartlett's insider perspective and willingness to critique both Republican and Democratic economic policies based on data rather than party loyalty. His transition from Reagan administration official to critic of modern Republican policies gives him credibility with readers across the political spectrum. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex economic concepts - Use of historical evidence and data to support arguments - Independent analysis that challenges both conservative and liberal orthodoxy - Personal experiences from working in Republican administrations What readers disliked: - Some find his later works too critical of Republican policies - Occasional repetition of points across books - Technical economic passages can be dense for general readers Ratings: - "The New American Economy" averages 4.0/5 on Amazon (82 reviews) - "Impostor: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America" averages 3.8/5 on Goodreads (156 reviews) - "The Benefit and The Burden: Tax Reform" averages 4.2/5 on Amazon (47 reviews) One reader noted: "Bartlett backs up his arguments with hard data while maintaining accessibility for non-economists."

Reaganomics: Supply-Side Economics in Action (1981) An explanation of the economic policies implemented during Reagan's presidency, focusing on tax cuts, deregulation, and monetary policy.

The New American Economy: The Failure of Reaganomics and a New Way Forward (2009) An analysis of how Reagan-era economic policies evolved and their long-term effects on the American economy.

Wrong on Race: The Democratic Party's Buried Past (2008) A historical examination of the Democratic Party's positions and policies regarding race relations from the 19th century through the modern era.

Impostor: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy (2006) A critique of George W. Bush's economic policies and their departure from traditional conservative principles.

The Benefit and the Burden: Tax Reform - Why We Need It and What It Will Take (2012) An overview of the U.S. tax system, its complexities, and potential reforms to address current economic challenges.

The Truth Matters: A Citizen's Guide to Separating Facts from Lies and Stopping Fake News in Its Tracks (2017) A handbook for identifying reliable sources and evaluating news in the modern media landscape.

How Wars End: Why We Always Fight the Last Battle (1991) An examination of American military conflicts and the political decisions that influenced their conclusions.

Paul Krugman writes about economics, fiscal policy, and political economy from a center-left perspective. His work focuses on making complex economic concepts accessible while critiquing conservative fiscal policies.

David Stockman served as Reagan's budget director and writes about fiscal conservatism and economic policy reform. He criticizes both Republican and Democratic economic policies and advocates for free market solutions.

Thomas Frank analyzes populist movements and economic policies in American politics. His work examines how conservative economic policies have impacted working-class voters.

Robert Reich writes about income inequality and economic policy based on his experience as Secretary of Labor. He focuses on labor markets, wages, and the relationship between government policy and economic outcomes.

Joseph Stiglitz examines globalization, inequality, and market failures through an economic lens. His work critiques free market fundamentalism while proposing policy reforms based on empirical evidence.