[Verse 1]
From nineteen forty-eight the golden age began
Rising wages, growing jobs across this land
But somewhere down the line the tide began to turn
Now we've got three schools of thought with lessons we must learn
[Chorus]
Compare the matrix, school by school
Explanation, evidence, the policy tool
Synthesize your model, make your case
Five pages strong with caveats in place
School times explanation times the proof you see
Times policy prescriptions equals your theory
[Verse 2]
School one says it's globalization's call
Trade and competition made the middle fall
School two points to technology's advance
Machines replaced the workers, changed the economic dance
[Chorus]
Compare the matrix, school by school
Explanation, evidence, the policy tool
Synthesize your model, make your case
Five pages strong with caveats in place
School times explanation times the proof you see
Times policy prescriptions equals your theory
[Verse 3]
School three blames the policies we chose
Deregulation, tax cuts, union woes
Each school has data backing up their claim
But which one fits the facts and shares the blame
[Bridge]
Look at wages stagnant while productivity climbed
Corporate profits soaring, workers left behind
Income inequality reaching record heights
Now you choose the model that explains it right
[Chorus]
Compare the matrix, school by school
Explanation, evidence, the policy tool
Synthesize your model, make your case
Five pages strong with caveats in place
School times explanation times the proof you see
Times policy prescriptions equals your theory
[Outro]
Matrix rows and columns tell the tale
Of prosperity's rise and why it failed
Your synthesis awaits, so make it strong
The story of our economy in song