There is much to love in Downsizing the USA, but there are many flaws. The breathe of the book is refreshing. Instead of simply taking a high-level view or narrowing to look at economics, politics, communities, education, or religion, Naylor and Willimon explore the themes that are common in each.

In short, the authors believe in traditionally sized lives. Ambition to grow larger is the common vice of the modern era, and they see downsizing as the key to progressing back to the tried and true cultural way of life older societies have. Or, as the authors seem to believe: downsizing the USA so we all look like Vermont.

The two biggest problems with their suggestion are
1. Their apparent ignorance of what it means to be a united republic of states. The authors seem to believe that the American Civil War was about slavery, when in reality, Lincoln taught us that we needed to go to war to save the Union. If a state could succeed from the Union because they didn’t like the federal governments’ laws, then states could easily become oppressive, rejecting universals stated in federal law for a locally preferred way of life.

2. For as much as the authors don’t like the tone of the federal government’s drumbeat towards bigness, they sure do like the fed’s ability to redistribute wealth. They suggest stopping subsidies that go to big businesses, freeing up the tax burden which would allow smaller businesses and communities to flourish. But then they turn around and suggest subsidizing small things—so the size of the feds wouldn’t be any different, just focused in a different direction. I think a little more study of conservative thinkers would have helped them craft a usable way of life where big businesses deserve as much skepticism as big government.

The authors learn from a variety of sources, pulling quotes as side-bar to chapter sections—a nice touch which simultaneously draws attention and makes the book’s layout more appealing. ( )