The rest of the title: How the Right Rules in an Age of Extreme Inequality. This book was written in 2020 before the election and then the whole aftermath of the election. It is not so much about Trump but instead the Republican party that has been shifting rightward since the 1990s. The author's argument is that the Republican party is being run by wealthy supporters for their own gain--lower taxes, less regulation, etc and they realized only way they can get enough support in elections is to join or inspire right groups in emotional support--the NRA, Evangelicals, racists, anti-immigration, pro-life groups, etc. With their money they can support enough of these causes to keep them in their party while still getting their true goals of financial help. The author's use the term plutocracy to describe this & it sounds like a pretty much spot on term. It also talks about the rightward swing of the courts from justices appointed by Trump as well as earlier under Bush and the stalling of appointments under Obama. At times this reads more like a textbook than a regular book but does have a lot of good information in it. Also sort of adds to my thoughts that Trump isn't the real problem with the Republican party, it is that the party--both the party officials and their voters--that support him and the issues/problems he addresses. I am hoping once Trumps cult of personality goes away that the party will go more moderate but this book makes it sound like that is not happening.
There is 1 WL for this book so I will probably post & send off at some point. Interesting read but not a keeper and I don't think friends & family would be interested enough to read either.
No comments:
Post a Comment