More recently the economic reach of american government expanded dramatically as the populace accepted stronger limits on its economic freedoms in exchange for the increased security provided by regulation an expanded welfare state and a stronger national defense. In the government and the american economy leading economic historians chronicle the significance of americas open access society and the roles played by government in its unrivaled success story americas democratic experiment the authors show allowed individuals and interest groups to shape the structure and policies of government . Government and the american economy a new history by price fishback robert higgs gary d libecap john joseph wallis stanley l engerman jeffrey rogers hummel . The american economy has provided a level of well being that has consistently ranked at or near the top of the international ladder a key source of this success has been widespread participation in political and economic processes this book chronicles the significance of americas open access society and the roles played by government in its unrivaled success story