First published 2022
America's political system has become a corrupt cartel that profits from division and dysfunction. Mattis reveals how a self-serving party duopoly has hijacked democratic processes to maintain power while exploiting social tensions for financial gain. The mercenary election industry feeds on partisan hatred, creating a cycle where compromise becomes impossible and essential democratic virtues disappear. Corrosive animosity between parties serves the interests of political elites who benefit from perpetual conflict. Even phenomena like Trumpism emerge as symptoms of this deeper systemic breakdown rather than causes. Technological and cultural shifts amplify these destructive forces, allowing extremes from both left and right to further weaken institutional foundations. Mattis argues that without immediate structural reforms, this political cartel will continue hollowing out American democracy from within. The consequences extend beyond domestic politics to threaten national security and democratic movements worldwide. The book presents specific remedies for restoring functional governance and rebuilding the civic culture necessary for self-government.
Genres: american, political-science, politics, social-issues, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: social-commentary
Period: 21st-Century
264 pages · Hardcover · Rowman & Littlefield