The Decline of Intelligence in America: A Strategy for National Renewal

254 Pages·1994·1.157 MB·English

by  Seymour W. Itzkoff

THE DECLINE
OF INTELLIGENCE
IN AMERICA
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THE DECLINE
OF INTELLIGENCE
IN AMERICA
A Strategy for National
Renewal
SEYMOUR W. ITZKOFF
Westport, Connecticut
London
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Itzkoff, Seymour W.
The decline of intelligence in America : a strategy for national
renewal / Seymour W. Itzkoff.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0–275–94467–0 (alk. paper)
1. Intelligence levels—United States—History—20th century.
2. Intellect—United States—Genetic aspects—History—20th century.
3. United States—Intellectual life—20th century. I. Title.
BF431.5.U6I87 1994
153.9′0973—dc20 93–5416
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available.
Copyright © 1994 by Seymour W. Itzkoff
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be
reproduced, by any process or technique, without the
express written consent of the publisher.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 93–5416
ISBN: 0–275–94467–0
First published in 1994
Praeger Publishers, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc.
Printed in the United States of America
The paper used in this book complies with the
Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National
Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984).
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Dedicated to
Jules and Coleman,
and their generation
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Part I Decline
1 Introduction: Truth and National Survival 3
2 Nations, Powerful and Wealthy 9
3 America’s Greatness 19
4 Economics: Is the Sleeper a Giant? 31
5 Our Educational Wreckage 49
6 The Social Bond Unravels 65
7 Ebb Tide 81
8 The Free Market of High Intelligence 91
9 The Tragedy of Low Intelligence 103
Part II Renewal
10 Defensive Driving 117
11 The American Family 125
12 A Non-Hyphenated People: W.E.B. Du Bois (1868–1963) 143
viii Contents
13 Immigration: Hot War 153
14 Disestablishing State Schooling 165
15 Middle-Class Economics and the Social Contract 179
16 Natality: World War III 197
Notes 205
For Further Reading 235
Index 237
Acknowledgments
A number of student research assistants, along with Smith College library
staff, were of great help in gathering together much resource material that
went into the writing of this book. Special recognition must be given to
Deborah Kershner and Suzanne Brendle for their devotion to the task. Pat
Stroman, as always, critically supervised the editing and the manuscript’s
organization. From the Greenwood Publishing Group, wise guidance was
received from John Harney and James T. Sabin. My thanks to them for
keeping me on a sober track, considering my deep concerns with the subject
matter.