This book examines the controlling influences that drive macroeconomic policies in the United States. It addresses the history of the interests, ideas, and practices of monetary and fiscal policies in the United States.

1. Introduction Part I: Fiscal policy 2. Interests: A history of tax conflicts 3. Ideas: The theory of stabilization policy 4. Practice: The stability of Federal government deficits Part II: Monetary policy 5. The interests and institutions of monetary policy 6. Knowledge, advice, and monetary policy 7. The stability of monetary policy: The Federal Reserve, 1914-2007 Part III: Conclusion 8. It's interests after all