Saving Capitalism

For the Many, Not the Few

By: Robert B. Reich

Narrated by: Robert B. Reich

In Saving Capitalism, Robert Reich reveals the entrenched cycles of power and influence that have damaged American capitalism, perpetuating a new oligarchy in which the 1 percent get ever richer and the rest - middle and working class alike - lose ever more economic agency, making for the greatest income inequality and wealth disparity since World War II. In brilliantly provocative detail, he shows how our misguided veneration of the "free market" has led us here and offers an empowering call to civic action as well as specific ideas for reform. A former White House advisor, talk show fixture, lecturer, and essayist and the star of last year's acclaimed documentary Inequality for All, Robert Reich is a beloved ambassador of progressive economics and a voice of reason in a media climate of fear mongering and finger pointing.

©2015 Robert B. Reich (P)2015 Recorded Books

Ever wonder why the cards seem stacked against you

The core theme of this book can be summarized in the following quote.

“The idea of a “free market” separate and distinct from government has functioned as a useful cover for those who do not want the market mechanism fully exposed. They have had the most influence over it and would rather keep it that way. The mythology is useful precisely because it hides their power.”

Reich eloquently and completely exposes the wealthy and elites' ability to undermine the true concept of a free market. Using the government to limit competition, price control, and workers' ability to organize are all things that the wealthiest Americans have done in the past 100 years in order to centralize as much of the wealth as possible at the top.

The book goes further to move away from just a social issue and highlights while how this shorter term viewpoint has led large corporations to chase short-term stock returns over long-term profits for the organization.

Our current economic model is unsustainable and as many people as possible need to educate themselves into how capitalism has been twisted against the average American.

What America needs

This is a clear roadmap on how to truly make America great. I have hope that we can come together and achieve success for the true majority.
I wish there were more concrete ways for individuals to contribute. The policies described are great, but I don't see a clear path to them becoming reality. The author was in a significant position of power (secretary of labor, I believe) and was not able to make significant headway.

A Must Read

This book gives a thorough context and explanation of the rise of corporate politics. Mr. Reich explains the past, the present, and gives a forecast for the future of our democratic republic. If you want to understand the lies and truths that many of our politicians dole out, this is the book for you. And if you want to understand how to ensure the government actually speaks for you, this is a great start.

essemtial reading for a generation

This books body of information should be required reading for economics at every university going forward.

Nutrition Dense Brain Food

This is a rather lengthy book but the time flew by! It is not a book of ideas rather than statistics. Unless you are one of the UBERs, you'll recognize the situations he describes as accurate even if you choose a different solution. He does not paint the final conundrum with the blood red brush I tend to use, but I still would not want to have missed a single word of the book.