 First edition | |
| Author | Nancy MacLean |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Viking Press |
Publication date | 2017 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 368 |
| ISBN | 978-1101980989 |
| OCLC | 1033429279 |
Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America is a 2017 nonfiction book by Nancy MacLean published by Viking Press.[1] MacLean critically examines public choice economics, the philosophy of economist James M. Buchanan at George Mason University, which became a significant influence on the libertarian movement and the Republican Party, and formed the foundation for the political activities of the Koch brothers in the U.S.
MacLean argues that Buchanan believed democracy must be suppressed for capitalism to flourish, which explains why the right wing, funded behind the scenes by secretive dark money networks, engages in anti-democratic behavior and policy-making, such as opposing unions and Social Security, supporting voter suppression and privatization, and placing impenetrable barriers to popular and social democracy. The book was a finalist for the National Book Award for Nonfiction. Reviewers received it mostly along partisan political lines.[2]
- ^ MacLean, Nancy (2018) [2017]. Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America. New York: Penguin Books. p. 368. ISBN 978-1101980972. OCLC 1029879485.
- ^ Farrell, Henry; Teles, Steven (30 August 2017). "When Politics Drives Scholarship". Boston Review.