First published 2020
Robert B. Reich argues that America's political and economic systems have been captured by wealthy elites who operate against ordinary citizens' interests. The author of Saving Capitalism and The Common Good presents his case that an oligarchy now controls American democracy through accumulated wealth and influence. Reich dismantles popular myths that obscure this reality, including beliefs about meritocracy, free markets, corporate responsibility, and political centrism. He demonstrates how these concepts serve as cover stories while the powerful consolidate their control and expand their advantages. The book maps where actual power resides in contemporary America and reveals the mechanisms through which it operates. Reich concludes by challenging readers to understand their position within this rigged system and providing a framework for citizens to reclaim democratic control and restructure institutions to serve everyone rather than just the elite.
Genres: american, political-science, economics, non-fiction, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: call-to-action, social-commentary
224 pages · Hardcover · Knopf Publishing Group