Democracy for the Few [Paperback]

Michael Parenti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2010 | ISBN-10: 0495911267 | ISBN-13: 978-0495911265 | Edition: 9

DEMOCRACY FOR THE FEW is a provocative interpretation of American Government. It shows how democracy is repeatedly violated by corporate oligopolies, and how popular forces have fought back and occasionally made gains in spite of the system. By focusing on the relationship between economic power and political power, discussing actual government practices and policies, conspiracies, propaganda, fraud, secrecy and other ploys of government and politics, this book stands apart in its analysis of how US Government works.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Democracy for the Few is a radical text that will educate, entertain, inspire, and provoke students to read, think, and be critical." - Dan Brook, Ph.D., San Jose State University

"Democracy for the Few is the most clearly written, innovative and thought provoking textbook I've seen. I find it hard to imagine a better text! This book will make your students understand how the American government functions while forcing them to think for themselves. Even if you don't agree with the viewpoint taken by Parenti, this book will help spark invaluable classroom discussions." - Dr. William A. Pelz, Elgin Community College

About the Author

Michael Parenti has taught political and social science at a number of colleges and universities, and now devotes himself full time to writing and guest lecturing. He is an internationally known, award winning author who has published 21 books, including: God and His Demons (2010); Contrary Notions: The Michael Parenti Reader (2007); The Culture Struggle (2006), and The Assassination of Julius Caesar (2003).Various writings of his have been translated into some twenty languages. His publications, including previous editions of Democracy for the Few, have been read and enjoyed by students, lay readers, and scholars, and have been used extensively in hundreds of college courses across the country. Dr. Parenti lectures frequently throughout North America and abroad. His various talks and interviews have played widely on radio, television, and the Internet. Some 300 articles of his have been published in magazines, newspapers, websites, and scholarly journals, including American Political Science Review, Journal of Politics, Social Research, and New Political Science. For more information, visit his website: www.michaelparenti.org.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Cengage Learning; 9 edition (March 10, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0495911267
• ISBN-13: 978-0495911265
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.8 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #512,093 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Capitalist Mythology August 1, 2010

By Michael Smith

Format:Paperback

Democracy For The Few is an outstanding scholarly review of capitalism as not just an economic model but as an entire social system. It brilliantly treats the contradiction between democratic and elitist values, relentlessly exposing the realities of class power and powerlessness. The author doesn't simply make assertions; he carefully considers the arguments underpinning capitalist legitimacy and finds them sorely wanting on rational grounds. He covers all the major themes of capitalism vs. democracy: the grotesquely lopsided distribution of wealth; corporate propaganda masquerading as objective journalism; self-serving mythology about the U.S. Founding Fathers; the subjugation of labor; the amelioration of capitalist exploitation with social democratic advances (the New Deal); the socialization of risk and the privatization of profit; military intervention abroad and the maintenance of a global system of power; ecological catastrophe and the attack on social programs; institutionalized injustice masquerading as law; political repression and incipient police state tactics; the international dimension of class struggle; elections as public relations extravaganzas; the buying of the Congress; the president as Commander in Chief of world empire; the partisan courts, and suggestions about how to transcend this system with real democracy.

Well researched, elegantly written, soundly argued. Buy it, use it, tell others about it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book! February 9, 2011

By Beyond This

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Definitely not what you learn in high school or most college classes. This book gives a truer perspective of American Government and practices. Highly recommended read even if you disagree with what you find.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, great seller! February 11, 2013

By nikko

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

At first this was just a book I bought for class, but when I actually read it I found it quite interesting!