The End of Empire

Toffler describes the changing power at the national and international levels here, and he starts by
using the Soviet Union and the United States of America as examples. The major focus is on
America, although the Soviet Union might have made a more appropriate example. He describes
the fall of General Motors and IBM, along with the decline of ABC, CBS, and NBC. He then
moves on to describe the decline of physicians' power from what it used to be.

     "Today, by constast, American doctors are under siege. Patients talk back. They sue for
      malpractice. Nurses demand responsibility and respect. Pharmaceutical companies are less
      deferential. And it is insurance companies, 'managed care groups,' and government, not doctors,
      who now control the American health system."

Toffler moves on to describe Japan's economic rise. He tells how, during the same time as this
increase, the three groups most responsible for it lost their power. His next example of changing
power is Western Europe, where the power has shifted from England, France, and Italy to Germany.
Also, the European Community is creating one whole Europe to replace a collection of individual
nations.

My analysis

Home