Berlatsky,
Noah. Transportation
Infrastructure. Cengage/Greenhaven 2012 118p $24.95 978-0-7377-6542-7 series: At Issue #12 ms/hs VG-BNS
This book presents pro and con opinion pieces related to the need for improved
infrastructure sponsored by national debt. Since many articles center around
the party platforms of the 2012 election, the book may seem dated within a year or two.
Grades 7-12.
Although the
title refers to transportation infrastructure projects, there is a broader
mention of crumbling schools, water treatment plants, sewage disposal systems, and other
aging systems in large metropolitan areas. The
articles, taken from a variety of magazines and journals representing
divergent points of view, discuss the sometimes flawed studies cited by people who support the
urgent need for upgrades, the economic impact (or not) of
government-funded projects, the political pork included in federal proposals,
and the environmental effects of new projects. Students will find facts and figures to support either side of the
argument on whether infrastructure projects are an appropriate use of federal
money and whether the projects actually solve problems. Issues receiving
special attention include mass transit, high-speed rail, bridges, and the privatization of
roadways. This book is a good
jumping-off
place for students who need to write a pro/con paper on government.
At Issue provides pro/con articles taken from a variety of journals, most published within the
last three years. A summary of the
article appears at the beginning of each chapter. An annotated list of organizations to contact, bibliography and
index complete each book.
Infrastructure Improvements --Lois McNicol
No comments:
Post a Comment