The Hidden History of Neoliberalism How Reaganism Gutted America and How to Restore Its Greatness

by Hartmann, Thom

• ISBN13: 9781523002320
• ISBN10: 1523002328
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781523002337
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2022-09-13
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

America’s most popular progressive radio host and New York Times bestselling author Thom Hartmann reveals how and why neoliberalism became so prevalent in the United States and why it's time for us to turn our backs to it.

With four decades of neoliberal rule coming to an end, America is at a crossroads. In this powerful and accessible book, Thom Hartmann demystifies neoliberalism and explains how we can use this pivotal point in time to create a more positive future.

This book traces the history of neoliberalism—a set of capitalistic philosophies favoring free trade, low taxes on the rich, financial austerity, and deregulation of big business—up to the present day. Hartmann explains how neoliberalism was sold as a cure for wars and the Great Depression. He outlines the destructive impact that it has had on America, looking at how it has increased poverty, damaged the middle class, and corrupted our nation’s politics.

America is standing on the edge of a new progressive era. We can continue down the road to a neoliberal oligarchy, as supported by many of the nation’s billionaires and giant corporations. Or we can choose to return to Keynesian economics and Alexander Hamilton’s “American Plan” by raising taxes on the rich, reversing free trade, and building a society that works for all.

Author Biography

Thom Hartmann is a progressive nationally and internationally syndicated talk show host. Talkers Magazine named him America’s #1 most important progressive host and the host of one of the top ten talk radio shows in the country every year for more than a decade. A four-time recipient of the Project Censored Award, Hartmann is also a New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books, translated into multiple languages. He was born in Michigan and retains strong ties to the Midwest, although he has lived in many regions. He now lives on the Columbia River in Portland, Oregon.
 
 

Table of Contents

Sample chapters

Foreword by Greg Palast
Introduction: The Plot to Save the World
The Birth of Neoliberalism
Neoliberalism Goes to Work
Neoliberalism Comes to America
Trump Attacks Neoliberalism
Biden Challenges Neoliberalism’s Core Concepts
How Neoliberalism Changed America in 40 years
Taxes
Healthcare
Education and Higher Education
The Environment
Destruction of Democracy
Breaking with 40 Years of Neoliberalism
#TaxTheRich
Rebuilding a Middle Class Gutted by Neoliberalism
Trade: Returning to Alexander Hamilton’s “American Plan”
Hamilton’s 11-Step Plan Worked for 188 Years
Break Up the Monopolies
Progressive Populism to Replace Progressive Neoliberalism
Standing on the Edge