The great forgetting: The past, present and future of social democracy and the welfare state reminds us that we were much happier when we were more equal, shared common goals, and trusted that government would be there for all of us when we needed it. The great forgetting emphasises that economic policy must be about more than getting government out of the way so some people can enrich themselves - often at the expense of the rest of us. The great forgetting explodes the myth that globalisation is the cause of inequality and that the state can do little to protect us. It demonstrates that the 1 percent are not the wealth creators they claim to be; they own much of their wealth through inheritance, tax concessions, and the ability to protect wealth in tax havens or through investments abroad. Inequality is lethal, but it can be fixed by a state that belongs to all of us and not just the 1 percent who use their wealth to acquire the political power that we once shared more.The great forgetting is dedicated to the 99 percent. It should appeal to everybody who wants to stop coddling the super-rich and who worries about her future retirement, or the healthcare of her family. The great forgetting suggests a way forward by urging people to reclaim the political power that should be theirs by right. The great forgetting would be an excellent supplement or primary text for undergraduate and graduate courses on contemporary history, politics, economy, political thought, and even business.