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Corporate Power, American Democracy, and the Automobile Industry

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If you've raised an eyebrow at the recent Bridgestone/Firestone/Ford scandal, get ready to raise two-you may need to borrow a few more-when you read this book. In Corporate Power, American Democracy, and the Automobile Industry, Stan Luger provides an intriguing historical context (think shady past) for the auto industry's latest disregard of public safety and consumer protection. If you think tire failures and SUV rollovers are bad, dig deeper-this is just icing. Luger gives you the cake-the misdeeds of corporate greed run thick through America's car industry. This book recounts forty years of the automobile industry's use (and misuse) of corporate power and reveals how this power has influenced public policy, politics, and our everyday car culture. From public safety to environmental protection, Luger illustrates how the automobile industry has flexed its muscles in the political arena to, guess what, maximize profit at our expense. Luger tracks the car industry's patterns of power and shows us that the market isn't just about supply and demand-it's about influence, decisions of the elite, and a disregard for the democratic process.

Luger shows how, time and again, the automobile industry has shirked responsibility for the negative impact of its products and held regulations at bay. For example, Luger explains how "blaming the drive" is a well-worn response of the auto industry. Recently, Bridgestone/Firestone tried to argue that its tires aren't faulty-SUV drives are at fault for improper tire inflation. Luger gives us the historical pattern for this position: from the late 1930s up until the early 1960s, the auto industry repeatedly argued that the cause of automobile accidents lay with the driver. It argued that increased driver education and responsibility would eliminate most accidents and pushed for programs and legislation that funded drivers' education and stiffened enforcement of traffic violations. Of course, Ralph Nader proved in the mid-1960s that the driver wasn't to blame, and that the car-unsafe at any speed-was. Which brings us to Luger's important point: social movements, such as Nader's consumer rights campaigns, are key to meeting capital's flagrant abuses head-on. Whether it's the labor movement or the environmental movement, organized response can challenge corporate power.

But don't just read this book for its hard-hitting analysis; it's also a witty narrative with juicy asides about the sleazier side of the automobile industry. You'll die laughing when you come across the story about the most expensive executive midnight snack in history (don't read it while driving!).

Corporate Power, American Democracy and the Automobile Industry is a must read for anyone who wants to go deeper than "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" into the automania that is America. Thoroughly researched, politically savvy, and sharply critical of corporate control of our democracy, this book fits oh so well with all election year reading material. Makes you want to dump that SUV and jump on the bus!