An Uneasy Bargain

The State and the American Market

This anthology investigates the recurring struggles over who should steer the American economy—and to what end. Spanning from the Civil War era to the digital dawn of the 21st century, these essays illuminate pivotal moments when the balance between public authority and private power was renegotiated under pressure. Each study examines a critical juncture when Americans confronted the consequences of concentrated wealth, rapid technological change, or systemic inequality, forcing lawmakers, courts, and citizens to reconsider the boundaries of federal intervention.

Collectively, the essays reveal a long, unsettled tradition: the United States has repeatedly embraced the promise of free markets while relying on the state to rescue, discipline, or redirect them when they imperil the public good. Bringing together political history, legal history, economic thought, and public policy, An Uneasy Bargain offers a panoramic view of how Americans have argued over the market’s proper place. It is both a chronicle of past conflicts and a lens through which to understand the regulatory challenges that define the present.

Coming Late 2026