Democracy Incorporated

Publisher's Summary

Democracy is struggling in America - by now this statement is almost cliche. But what if the country is no longer a democracy at all? In Democracy Incorporated, Sheldon Wolin considers the unthinkable: has America unwittingly morphed into a new and strange kind of political hybrid, one where economic and state powers are conjoined and virtually unbridled? Can the nation check its descent into what the author terms "inverted totalitarianism"?

Wolin portrays a country where citizens are politically uninterested and submissive - and where elites are eager to keep them that way. At best the nation has become a "managed democracy" in which the public is sheperded, not sovereign. At worst it is a place where corporate power no longer answers to state controls. Wolin makes clear that today's America is in no way morally or politically comparable to totalitarian states like Nazi Germany, yet he warns that unchecked economic power risks verging on total power and has its own unnerving pathologies.

Wolin examines the myths and mythmaking that justify today's politics, the quest for an ever-expanding economy, and the perverse attractions of an endless war on terror. He argues passionately that democracy's best hope lies in citizens themselves learning anew to exercise power at the local level.

Democracy Incorporated is one of the most worrying diagnoses of America's political ills to emerge in decades. It is sure to be a lightening rod for political debate for years to come.

The book is published by Princeton University Press.

©2008 Princeton University Press (P)2010 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic Reviews

"Sheldon Wolin has produced an ambitious and broad-ranging book that examines the current state of democracy in America.... Wolin argues that the unquestioned faith in the virtues of free market capitalism has dramatically narrowed the range of policy options that are on the table when debate turns to resolving the US's ills... [T]his is a trenchant and powerful volume." (Alex Waddan, International Affairs)

"As we've come to expect from Sheldon Wolin, a tightly argued and deeply revealing book about the dangers of unconstrained capitalism for our democracy." (Robert B. Reich, Professor of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley; former U.S. Secretary of Labor)

Essential listening....

Sheldon Wolin's recent work provides an absolutely essential theoretical underpinning for anyone who finds himself (or herself) suspecting that what's going on with the U.S. is really, really uncool. Unlike the well-known media fascisti, it welcomes some real historical knowledge (NOT the bullsh-t platitudes that pass for such) and provides a nuanced, balanced account (Wolin spent many years teaching political philosophy at some major universities) of how real power functions today. If you find writers like Chris Hedges compelling, Wolin is the next logical place to go.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

What the media won't tell you

If you could sum up Democracy Incorporated in three words, what would they be?

What we've become

What was one of the most memorable moments of Democracy Incorporated?

The whole book was memorable.

What about Joe Barrett’s performance did you like?

Clear and concise, making every sentence have an impact.

If you could give Democracy Incorporated a new subtitle, what would it be?

Why the American Empire is Falling

Any additional comments?

After you read this, you'll wonder why TV, newspapers, the internet..is filling our heads with such garbage and leaving out the truth .. Please listen to this book.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Honest, accurate, and insightful.

This is one of the best portrayals of what has happened to Democracy in the US, and overall the factors that have led to a massive erosion of constitutional rights, equality and political morals. Governed by a system of cyclical corruption, the fall towards totalitarianism is here and is increasing more rapidly by the day. Great job, Sheldon Wolin.

Could have been written in an essay and been far more potent

This book while it’s underlying conclusion is fine and some good points made; the author just seems to ramble with no direction. Personally knowing some history, he could have made some strong cases had he just cited more and got more in-depth with factual evidence. He seems to skirt around, speak hyperbole, and make some strange statements that seem entirely misplaced, as if he wants to create crafty punchlines with no real punch or meaning or sound narrative.

Good idea behind the book, piss poor writer.

Super

The deepest analytical text about America so far; about its imperialism, democratic deficit, inequality, and how to cure these diseases.

Democracy Inc. is so pertinent in light of Trump's presidency

As an educator, I highly recommend this book as an essential companion to social studies curricula.

Knowing the process of how democracy has been co-opted allows us to resist and proceed accordingly. The concept of inverted totalitarianism correlates with the formula posed in the Powell Memo. Folks like Naomi Klein, Chomsky, Henry Giroux, and Richard Wolff have addressed the further dismantling of what's left of our democracy.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

A Must Read For ALL Citizens of Democracy!

Loved the Narrator! I believe he captured the Author's inflections & intimations on the various emphasis. This body of work offers much for one to contemplate in the truest aspirations for a pure democracy, if even such an organism exists.

THE LIGHT IS DAWNING.

Until 9/11 I wasn't a bit interested in history or politics but that event shocked me utterly. I decided to read up on terrorism to determine the answer to the question put forth by President Bush, "why do they hate us?", followed by his advice to the populace, "go out and shop."

After many many books which took me all over the globe, I finally got the answer in Democracy Incorporated: Managed Democracy and the Specter of Inverted Totalitarianism. Democracy in America is dead of dying, and no one is looking out for the 'little guy' who seems oblivious to the fact that his freedoms and rights are being, or already are eroded.

I discovered what the U.S. was up to in Afghanistan prior to 9/11 (see Charlie's War), and the whole world saw what happened in Iraq - 100,000 U.S. soldiers dead already. Meanwhile, Wall Street and the shadow banking system confiscated the wealth of the nation and assigned it to themselves while the 'little guy' suffers.

More ominous still, the world is at the mercy of the richest most powerful totalitarian regime in history. I am scared!

4 of 8 people found this review helpful

Wrong Narrator for This Title

How could the performance have been better?

This narrator is much better suited, in my opinion, for fiction.
I don't sense that he is comprehending what he is reading very well.
The presentation lacks credibility.

Any additional comments?

I agree with another reviewer. I really wanted to
Listen to the entire book, but finally became too annoyed with this narrators voice.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Narrator Ruins It

It might be a very interesting book but the readers voice, his froggie-like voice and monotone style just makes it increasingly harder and harder to continue to listen to. He honestly had no talent for reading audible books with that annoying voice and style. So annoying, because I really want to finish this book, but I just can't take anymore of that voice.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful