Industry and government in the long run: on the true story of the American model

This chapter aims at analyzing the long history of the industry-government relationship in the United States (US) and interpreting it with regard to the promotion of an American model of economy. Dealing with the debate on the government role in the US economy, it is immediately clear that indsutrial policy has been a contentious issue over America history. This chapter highlights the conflict between rhetoric and reality, by going beyond an ideological perspective in the debate about government relationship.