Democracy in Chains

"Democracy in Chains" by Nancy MacLean unveils the alarming history of the radical right's campaign to reshape American governance over the past sixty years. It profiles the influential figure of James McGill Buchanan, whose ideas emerged as a response to the expansion of democracy, aiming to disempower the majority while reinforcing elite power. The narrative reveals how corporate funding and strategic alliances, particularly with figures like Charles Koch, have driven efforts to undermine unions, privatize public services, and restrict voting rights. Combining rigorous scholarship with a compelling narrative, this book serves as both an exposé of a secretive political agenda and a rallying cry to safeguard democratic principles.