Blueprint for America

Scholars at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University—professors, thinkers, and practitioners of global renown in their respective fields—offer a series of accessible policy ideas for civic, economic, and security architecture that would shore up the long-term foundations of American strengths. Blueprint is a beyond-the-Beltway profile of the basic policy priorities facing an incoming president and Congress. Economists Michael Boskin, John Cogan, John Cochrane, and John Taylor address the fundamental questions of entitlement reform, deficits, monetary reform, national debt, and regulatory and tax reform. Scott Atlas, MD, draws on his experience in the practice of medicine to tackle the Affordable Care Act and proposes incentive-based health care reforms. Cochrane reframes the heated political discourses on immigration and international trade. Eric Hanushek addresses the current performance—and benefits from reform—of K–12 education. Retired admiral James Ellis, retired general Jim Mattis, and Kori Schake offer their visions of how to restore America's national security through proactive and realistic agenda setting. Ellis further urges a rethink of American energy security strategy in an era of abundance, and Ambassador James Goodby expounds on the country's practice of diplomacy in a time of turbulent transition. Throughout, the Honorable George Shultz narrates with a range of clear-eyed observations on spending, human resources, foreign policy, the environment, and, in conclusion, the art of governance. The spirit of Blueprint for America is positive and grounded in first principles, offering ideas, diagnoses, solutions, and road maps for the long view.