TOP DRAWER BOOK REVIEW
by
HL Carpenter

 

The Cheating Culture
by David Callahan
353 pages; hardcover; $26.00
Harcourt, Inc., New York, 2004

Are we a nation of cheaters?

From tax evasion to accounting implosions to baseball steroids, the answer seems evident. Despite the current upsurge of conservative virtuosity, we’re ethically challenged to the point where you’re considered a chump if you follow the rules. Of course, this is hardly a new phenomenon. Look back to the 1920’s and you’ll find much of the same behavior.

Since it appears we’re guilty as charged, author David Callahan, director of research at public policy center Demos, wants us to figure out why we cheat. You may think the reasons are simple. After all, the ‘system’ is unfair. Besides, everybody does it. And why should the rich have so much and the rest of us so little?

But could it be these excuses merely serve as camouflage for the underlying societal cause: a tradition of materialism? In other words, is what you have – and the more the better - of greater importance than how you get it?

That’s one possible explanation, though blaming society is a bit disingenuous, however adroitly The Cheating Culture seems to make the case. As individuals, we are society. In light of the current epidemic of cheating, it’s a discouraging thought.

Even worse, there are plenty of other discouraging thoughts throughout The Cheating Culture, including the solution offered to get us back on the straight and narrow. Reforming business and creating a new social contract where ‘anyone who plays by the rules gets ahead’ seems a bit pie in the sky.

Yet it’s clear something needs to be done, especially when you ask yourself what the future holds for a nation of cheaters.

And ask you should. Mr. Callahan says he wrote The Cheating Culture in an effort to start a discussion. Hopefully we won’t cheat ourselves of the opportunity.

 

Review originally published January 2005.