Our Burden and Our Strength guides readers through a bold look at a nation’s wealth, debt, and future power.
This nonfiction study surveys how a country can grow its resources, even in times of strain. It uses historical examples and wartime data to explain why capital, immigration, and new technology matter for national prosperity. The book argues that strong foundations and smart use of labor-saving methods can expand wealth and capacity for debt alike, with an eye toward practical implications for policy and everyday readers.
The analysis centers on real-world indicators—from savings bank activity and agricultural output to immigrant inflows and export totals—to show how wealth compounds and how a country can meet debt with greater production and opportunity. It blends statistics with accessible commentary to illuminate the big questions about national finance, growth, and resilience.
- How capital and wealth build upon themselves when properly directed
- The role of immigration and labor markets in expanding consumption and revenue
- Evidence from farming, industry, and trade that wealth can rise even in hard times
- The impact of new technologies and transportation on productive capacity
Ideal for readers of economic history and policy analysis, this edition offers a clear lens on debt, wealth, and national strength.