I guess I was looking for something harder-edged.  
Actually, that's a pretty safe bet. The best politico-econo-philosophy books I've read in recent years have all been more confrontational.
I liked John Dean's book on the mind of conservative...

In modern times, agricultural yields and trade are constantly touching new dimensions. Grain production in India is setting is continuing to set a new record. In such a situation, the government is also making constant efforts to double the inco...