A sobering view of capitalism & democracy
583646
Prof Amy Chua's 'World on Fire' is an alarming and depressing read. She lists the intra-ethnic barbarisms that have arisen over the past century or so, from the Holocaust to Rwanda to Serbia, taking in Indonesia's anti-Chinese riots and the Los Angeles anti-Korean riots, and highlighting the common features they share: an aggrieved majority, stirred up to hatred by demogagues against a market-dominant minority. In many countries, some of the minority (Jews in Russia, Chinese in SE Asia, Asians in Kenya, Lebanese in Sierra Leone) have disproportionately benefited from crony capitalism, supporting corrupt political leaders who enable them to become rich while the majority of the populace remains in poverty - until there is a violent explosion. Prof Chua points out that the US' enthusiasm for encouraging unfettered 19th century capitalism in these evolving and unstable countries with no social safety-nets while simultaneously promoting democracy is a recipe for instability. (Her thesis helps to explain the current argument in Iraq between the majority Shia who seek immediate direct elections, and the market-dominant Iraqi exiles and Kurds, who prefer a more gradual transition to raw democracy.)
More alarmingly, she encourages us to see the USA as the market-dominant minority in the world, infinitely richer than most of its citizens, and increasingly seen by many as the reason for their poverty and humiliation. Her prescription for the market-dominent majority in unstable nations is that they should make conspicuous contributions to the well-being of the majority in order to stave-off violence. Considering the current US administration's tendency to unilateralism, protectionism, and its low level of international humanitarian aid, advice to apply the same prescription to the US may be timely.
4733381
In The Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein's primary purpose is to challenge the assumption that Milton Friedman-style deregulated capitalism has taken hold around the world through freedom and democracy.  In gripping fashion, she exposes this notion as false and reveals the true methods employed by the corporatist elites.

Powerful multinational corporations, along with their representatives in government, have instilled their ideology on unsuspecting people suffering from the shock of wars, natural disasters, and economic crises.  No part of the globe has been spared, including Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the United States.

Despite being done under the guise of spreading freedom and democracy, the true purpose of the corporatist agenda is to increase the wealth and power of the elites in charge.  A careful examination of the methods involved will reveal the contradiction.  Any resistance to deregulated capitalism is met with restriction of civil liberties and, in extreme cases, torture.

These policies have left entire countries and cultures in shambles.  Drastic cuts to social spending have swelled the ranks of people living in poverty.  Profits gained from extracting natural resources are not reinvested in the local economy.  The list of grievances continues.

This book is thoroughly researched and incredibly detailed.  The argument presented is certainly not conventional, but it is very compelling.  I highly recommend The Shock Doctrine.
105498
Johnson's condemnation of American foreign policy/foreign interventions, American dependence on a military-industrial complex, and foreign borrowing is pretty overwhelming for the person on the street, the average citizen that makes up our electorate. What's hitting the middle class in America is an equally telling drama, one that can be understood by the average person. Such stories represent the other side of the coin of Johnson's Nemisis -- corporate globalization, as recorded in the writings of Aronica and Ramdoo (THE WORLD IS FLAT? A CRTITAL ANALYSIS OF THOMAS FRIEDMAN'S NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER), Sen Byron Dorgan (TAKE THIS JOB AND SHIP IT) and Thom Hartmann (SCREWED). Indeed it's time for a wake-up call, and call to action for the electorate!
709943
Ha-Joon Chang's iconoclastic book on the follies of untrammelled free-market economics was published shortly after the financial meltdown of 2008, but its messages remain relevant today: we still live in a world that teeters on the brink of monetary collapse. The damage wrought by the global crash was second only to the Great Depression, and its legacy - in terms of poverty, social stability and the impact on economic growth - may last for decades.

The author's premise is that thirty years of free-market ideology was at the root of the catastrophe and that, worryingly, the world has not learned from the experience. The next disaster may be just around the corner.

In spite of what the title suggests, "23 Things" is not a rabid attack on capitalism itself. There is much here to anger those from both the Political Left and the Political Right. It is more a thoughtful analysis of some of the underlying assumptions relating to the American 'brand' of capitalism, how they have spread across the globe and how such underpinning philosophies can be short-sighted and dangerous.

Ha-Joon Chang (who teaches at the Faculty of Economics at Cambridge, if you're interested) slices and dices economic statistics from the 1960s to the present day to show us that many of our deeply-held beliefs about education, the world's poor and the so-called 'post-industrial age' contain fatal flaws. Tellingly, he points out that the very free-market policies being forced on the developing nations are precisely NOT the policies pursued by the developed countries of the world while they were building their wealth.

The author is an economist who knows the limitations of economics as a means of building a world fit for people to live in. He echoes Winston Churchill's view on democracy by asserting, "Capitalism is the worst economic system except for all the others", but unlike many merchants of doom he offers eight concrete suggestions on how to rebuild the world economy.

All in all, "23 Things" is a thought-provoking book and one which is written in a style that makes it accessible to the general reader not just to the disciples of the 'dismal science' of economics.
4526359
The breath and depth of knowledge about the financial events of our recent history is Amazing! The point is capitalism has not failed,crony capitalism,irresponsible wall street,compromised politicians and complicit fed has created a financial monster which threatens to destroy our
Awesome way of life. We have bent over backwards repay the high risk losers on wall street  and the bankesters with our money. The policies
Of our government and the fed have taught us not to save and invest. We have been trained to borrow and consume. His last chapter has tough
But sure ways to clean up this mess of 40 or maybe 70 years of fiscal insanity. I was completely mesmerized by the constant display of statistic which
Proved his assertions at every turn!
483203
I am pleased there is a Kindle edition of this Marxist classic. It is an illustration of the old adage that the last capitalist on earth will sell you the rope to hang the second-to-last.

In one sense, Lenin's work is dated. A lot has happened in the last hundred years! On the other hand most of what has happened seems to confirm Lenin's analysis:

1) The concentration of production and capital developed to such a high stage that it created monopolies which play a decisive role in economic life. Most of the economy of countries like Australia is dominated by giant corporations and "Free Enterprise" is a myth or a sick joke.

2) The merging of bank capital with industrial capital, and the creation, on the basis of this "finance capital," of a "financial oligarchy." The authors of the present financial disaster being the unrestrained and irresponsible bankers.

3) The export of capital, which has become extremely important, as distinguished from the export of commodities.

4) The formation of international capitalist monopolies which share the world among themselves. Many of them have turnovers greater than the GDP of nation states.

5) The territorial division of the whole world among the greatest capitalist powers is completed. You can count the number of imperial conquests taking place at the present time (Iraq and Afghanistan today - perhaps Syria and Iran tomorrow?)

<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Socialist-Reviews/dp/B00C9G7682/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Socialist Reviews</a>
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4251871
Joseph Stiglitz provides a wealth of evidence to demonstrate that the current gross financial inequalities pervading American (and other)society are seriously harmful to the well-being of that society and the individuals who compose it.  The book is generally written in language designed to be understandable to readers not deeply in economic theory.  There is a superabundance of notes at the back, but these can be skimmed or even disregarded for those anxious to economize on time.
2683307
Ron Formisano has written an eye-opening book that would horrify the founders of the Republic, who feared the rise of an aristocracy. In seven lively chapters he casts a wide net to show how the political class operates with the efficiency of an old-fashioned urban political machine. Both parties are implicated in his story. But there are some unfamiliar players beyond those moving through the revolving door between Congress and Washington's army of lobbyists. University presidents, for example, increasingly act like corporate business heads and they are paid like them as well, often with ties to Wall Street. Who knew that the president of my alma mater served on Goldman Sachs' Board, reaping hundreds of thousands of dollars on top of her university salary as the economy nosedived toward depression. There are many surprises in this incisive book as Formisano takes apart America's permanent political oligarchy piece by piece.
3201603
When Corporations Rule The World

This fantastic book describes how American corporations have accumulated and abused power, waged war against and taken advantage of the poor, corrupted governments with bribery, and harmed our environment.  It talks about how billions of money change hands every day and don't really benefit anybody except the financial speculators.  Democratic pluralism was responsible for the post-WW2 prosperity of America's Golden Age; we now live in an era where the corporations and have gained too much power and are distorting our public institutions and eliminating the middle class.  Real wages have fallen in the past few decades, as wealth inequality has increased.  Despite what the Supreme Court said in the dreadful and damaging Citizens United ruling, corporations are not people; we may need a constitutional amendment to affirm this.  The author proposed a new world order where the people prioritized quality of life of over money.  I highly recommend this intelligent, interesting, and enlightening book.
3941611
I don't agree with the subtitle 'The death of democracy', but I consider this book more as a warning for the dangers that beleaguer democracy.
I fully agree with the author that the dangers come from transnational companies, who don't know the national borders of the democratic elected governments. But the solution here is an elected transnational government (a daunting task for Europe, for instance).
These companies, and rich individuals, get a bigger and bigger impact on national politics and have in some countries taken over the role of government (education, social security) for their employees. But if they move in a democracy against the majority of the population, they have no chance to implement their schemes.
In this respect, I don't agree with the author that the fact that only 50% of the voters turn-out to vote effectively is a sign for a diminishing democracy. The reason for this limited turn-out is the fact that the items at stake are, in one way or another, 'marginal'. There will be a far bigger turn-out when in times of a deep economic depression, a candidate promises a decent life (work) for everybody.
Where I fully agree with the author is that a controlled capitalist system is the best solution to get economic growth (and that's what people want). The other option is a planned economy, in other words to give the economic power to the planners, to a bureaucracy.
I also agree that the proceeds of this growth should be far better distributed. The economy is not a goal in itself, but a means to get a better life for everybody.
But as Susan Strange stated in her work: most of the distribution of the proceeds of economic growth in the world was and is done by, and through the channels of, transnational companies ... in their own interest.
The proposed means (consumer protest, shareholder activism, internet democracy) are only part of the solution. They can and will to some extent influence political decision making. The solution still lays in the hands of democratically elected political leaders.
All in all, a very stimulating read.
1229336
This book explores the past and current states of democracy, and examines the current threats to free-market capitalism and democracy.
The future of the planet, and what it will be like for humans to live on it, obviously is of concern to any aware person, and that's really what Mr. Robert Lee is talking about here.  The political and social environment goes a long way toward determining the capacity for individuals to find happiness.

One of the strongest aspects of this book is the historical insight.  In this sense and many others, I think reading "Saving Democracy from Suicide" would be really beneficial for teenagers and other young readers. It's edifying to see a broad topic defined so clearly, and to learn new elements of history that I wasn't familiar with.  In many ways his discussion of the early attempts at democracy was similar to recent findings about the "discovery" of the Americas--lots more cultures may have visited the continent and democracy than was commonly believed.  While the author obviously is coming from a defined perspective and trying to make points that support his argument, I found that he was fair in presenting other historic case studies that did not necessarily support his premise.

The descriptions of the threats to democracy from inhospitable and sometimes even hostile religions and nations are chilling.  Robert Lee has a lot of interesting proposals to reverse the slide of Western civilization, particularly Western democracies.  I think people who read this book will end up having more thoughtful discussions of the current state of the world.  The book is clearly written, and fascinating.
3148426
Robinson has written a truly intellectual book on democracy and democracy promotion. While the world debates whether or not the US government can or cannot promote democracy, Robinson demonstrates that Washington has a history of trouncing rather than promoting democracy.  US policymakers have over the years desired pro-US regimes that hold elections rather than truly democratic governments, since truly democratic government may run counter to US interests. His book is a sober and much needed addition to the democratization literature that is mired in an unhealthy acceptance of elections and democratic values as the major characteristics of democracy.
1300842
The first thing that came to mind with this books was idiom of the great political scientist Harold Lasswell wrote Politics is who gets what, when, and how.
Politics has become too absorbed with economic questions of efficiency not of distribution. Politics has for decades veered away from the politics of distribution with the formation of cartel party political systems. This is a timely reminder that the normative questions of politics, which the late historian Tony Judt in Ill Fares the Land recently did, and that it is an economic imperative.

Marx's original critique of capitalism was not that it made for lousy growth rates. It was that a rising concentration of wealth couldn't be sustained politically. This is a timely intellectual reminder giving the growth in wealth inequalities the world over and the state of disrepair the world economy is in following the global financial crisis. We need a new political economy which Piketty makes abundantly clear.

At present power is denominated in the currency money. The question we must ask is will democracy as it did in the middle of the 20th century use its powers erode the power of entrenched wealth? Or not. If politics is to be who gets what, when and who democracy must flourish to discontinue power in society being distributed in the currency money.

It is a timely book and call to arms for anyone willing to put any intellectual time into it. It's length means it's no updated Communist Manifesto but at least on the upside, the Capital is not written over three volumes!
3193029
This is a great summation of thought on the American "ideal" of Capitalism.  Mr. Chomsky says things so well and effortlessly that you drink in the information in gulps.  He simplifies and exposes the political system that has used Capitalism to keep people happy and oblivious.  His ideas are intense and powerful but easy to grasp and see.  You actually see how things like the defense industry; unions and laws have been used to turn America's "Capitalism" into a tool of power and corruption.
This is a great introduction to the issue of how the American Government and Corporations have teamed up to use the working class of the USA and other countries.  The economy does "well" which makes it possible for the "haves" to get more of what the "have-nots" don't have.
1995609
A very worthwhile read in an attempt to understand the modern day dilemma of "socialist" ideals in relation to capitalism. This is a fairly easy read and the first three chapters are very informative about the evolution of socialism in juxtaposition to communism. The last chapter is particularly good in highlighting the modern day problems with reconciling the general ideals of "socialism", viz equality, solidarity and cooperation, with capitalism. This book stimulates thought relative to the current problems of global economics and the ongoing wealth gap nationally and internationally particularly in trying to consider ways of reconciling unbridled capitalism with equal opportunity for all. The ideas outlined in this book are particularly relevant to the politics, economics and social justice in the United States and elsewhere at this time in history.

Some of the writing style makes understanding of the ideas sometimes difficult. However, the book is titled "..A Brief Insight" which may explain my difficulty at times, as a layperson, regarding the subject matter.
1769598
In an age where so many young college students are being taught that capitalism is bad and socialism and communism are good, this is an eye opening read. Communism and socialism certainly rest on idealistic clouds, but the reality is that the rich and powerful will always rule over the poor and that is exactly what is portrayed in this book.  Capitalism is far from perfect but it's the only system that allows a person to their chart their own life.  I would like to hope that more books like this would be written and eyes would be opened but unfortunately, history repeats itself and the idealistic youth are in danger of becoming another "Walter Scott".
360195
This book describes global socioeconomic up-trends that most people are unaware of. This is important stuff to understandwe need to know what has gone right, not just focus on disasters. A lot has gone right since the Scientific Revolution of the 1500s and the Enlightenment of the 1700s: increases in income, literacy, democracy, and womens rights, and, even remarkably large decreases in crime and violence.

The book gives a lot of the credit for the up-trends to free market capitalism, which, in many cases is quite accurate. But the book, published in 2017, ignores the Great Recession and growing income inequality and even growing poverty in countries like the U.S. It implies that at this time more free market capitalism is just what the doctor ordered. A more objective analysis would point out that given the cracks that are developing in the U.S. economic system, its time to re-evaluate our next steps.

The author, Johan Norberg, is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a Libertarian think tank. His transparent agenda to reduce governmental regulation reduces the books objectivity. How can the author imply that free market capitalism has somehow IMPROVED the natural environment? He fails to mention or give credit to the dedicated environmental organizations which battled the corporations to increase regulations and ameliorate some of the worst corporate pollution problems. The book has the taint of propaganda. This is unfortunate, because the important and accurate statistical data presented on the many global up-trends should be better known.