Reaganism and the Death of Representative Democracy [Hardcover]

Walter Williams (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0878401474 | ISBN-13: 978-0878401475 | Publication Date: August 18, 2003 | Edition: First Edition

This is a reasoned but passionate look at how Reaganism -- the political philosophy of Ronald Reagan -- has severely damaged representative democracy as created by the nation's founders. According to Williams, Reagan and his foremost disciple George W. Bush have created a plutocracy where the United States is no longer a government of the people, by the people, and for the people but is ruled by the wealthiest individuals and corporate America. Refreshingly unafraid to point out that Reaganism's anti-government fundamentalism stands on feet of clay, Walter Williams asks that Americans move from their political apathy to pay attention to the politicians and the corporations lurking behind the power curtain to see the dangers they represent to the true essential of the American way of life.

Williams' most important contribution is his extended analysis of the central role the key institutions -- the presidency, Congress, the federal agencies -- must play for the U.S. government to be capable in both sustaining representative democracy and protecting the safety and economic security of the American people. A clear result of the weakened institutions has been the grossly inadequate homeland security effort following September 11, and the massive corporate fraud revealed by Enron and other large firms that robbed the nation of hundreds of billions of dollars in stock values and depleted the pension savings of millions of people. The initial destructive blow that damaged the institutions of governance can be traced to Ronald Reagan and his simplistic antigovernment philosophy that fostered rapacious business practices and personal greed. The book also takes the media to task, criticizing the dismal record of failing to investigate the political and corporate chicanery that has brought us to this pass.

Keenly argued and scrupulously documented, Walter Williams has written a stinging wake-up call to the dangers of the demise of representative democracy and the rise of plutocracy that American citizens can ignore only at their peril.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan initiated a policy of diminishing the power of the federal government. He encouraged individuals to propel economic growth and domestic stability, cut taxes, deregulated businesses and, in many other arenas, shifted power to the states. Williams, a professor emeritus of public affairs at the University of Washington and a fierce opponent of Reaganism, argues that, instead of furthering growth, this political doctrine transformed the Founding Fathers' ideal of a representative democracy into a government of the wealthy, for the wealthy. It left, he says, America vulnerable to decline at numerous levels. To effectively counter what he views as the greatest transformation in political philosophy since FDR, the author claims that the two "earthquakes" of September 11 and the Enron scandals exposed the structural weaknesses of the post-Reagan government policies and their movement toward plutocracy. Readers who fear, like Williams, that George W. Bush is continuing Reagan's trend will much useful analysis here.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A serious and thoughtful critique of the state of democratic governance in the United States. Whatever one's position, Williams's Reaganism and the Death of Representative Democracy is an exceptional starting point for dialogue regarding the relative health of American democracy and what might be done to reinvigorate it." -- Political Science Quarterly

"Williams has sketched the broad outlines of our political condition and done America a service by trying to wake us up to the destructive dynamics of our polarized partisan politics today." -- The News & Observer

"In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan initiated a policy of diminishing the power of the federal government. He encouraged individuals to propel economic growth and domestic stability, cut taxes, deregulated businesses and, in many other arenas, shifted power to the states. Williams, a professor emeritus of public affairs at the University of Washington and a fierce opponent of Reaganism, argues that, instead of furthering growth, this political doctrine transformed the Founding Fathers' ideal of a representative democracy into a government of the wealthy, for the wealthy. It left, he says, America vulnerable to decline at numerous levels. To effectively counter what he views as the greatest transformation in political philosophy since FDR, the author claims that the two earthquakes of September 11 and the Enron scandals exposed the structural weaknesses of the post-Reagan government policies and their movement toward plutocracy. Readers who fear, like Williams, that George W. Bush is continuing Reagan's trend will find much useful analysis here." -- Publishers Weekly

"Williams says, correctly, that Reaganism's antigovermentalism and market fundamentalism contributed mightily to the decline in support for the public sphere. Whether, as Williams claims, a better informed public can lead us toward a better day is arguable. But it's an argument that needs to take place as we strive to revitalize representative democracy. This thought-provoking book is a must read for anyone who cares about the condition of American democracy." -- Thomas E. Patterson, Bradlee Professor of Government & the Press, Harvard University

"Williams has produced a 'big picture' book lamenting the decline of American democracy. Reaganism and the Death of Representative Democracy is an articulate critique of a number of trends affecting the capability and competence of American government and the manipulation of publics by the media and politicians. This book will stir passions and arguments and, ironically therefore, contribute to the health of American democracy." -- Bert A. Rockman, director, School of Public Policy and Management, The Ohio State University

"Walt Williams' Reaganism and the Death of Representative Democracy is a sweeping study of the corrosive role of right-wing ideology on the capacity of the American nation to govern itself. Williams offers persuasive evidence that the right-wing onslaught has undermined both the capacity of citizens to hold government accountable and the ability of government agencies to carry out public programs. It should be read by political leaders, policy professionals, and citizens wanting relief from the steady drumbeat of propaganda from the think-tank right." -- Bryan D. Jones, Donald R. Matthews Distinguished Professor of American Politics, University of Washington

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Georgetown University Press; First Edition edition (August 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878401474
• ISBN-13: 978-0878401475
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars You're No Walter Williams, November 4, 2008

By 

Mike Whitney (McDavid, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reaganism and the Death of Representative Democracy (Hardcover)

This writer makes some good points relative to government's responsibility to protect the people from unbridled capitalism. However, he goes way too far in trying to trace our current economic troubles to Ronald Reagan. Also, do not make the mistake of confusing this author with the brilliant syndicated African American columnist Walter E. Williams, and Amazon errs in suggesting a link between their writings. Walter E. Williams would find much in this book antipathetic to his own beliefs. Walter Williams is no Walter (E.) Williams.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bait and Switch, October 18, 2009

By 

LazarusL (Utopian Field, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reaganism and the Death of Representative Democracy (Hardcover)

FYI, I thought I was getting some kind of unique political insight from Walter E. Williams, unfortunately I was wrong. This is not the author I expected. This book is not about freedom and personal responsibility. It is another proponent of mob rule. Without the middle E. you do not get an excellent author.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Laughably inaccurate., July 31, 2009

By 

J. Phillips - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reaganism and the Death of Representative Democracy (Hardcover)

I bought this booking thinking that it would be an interesting read on a view contrary to most about Reaganomics. However, the author as another commentor said, goes way to far in trying to blame everything wrong with America on Reagan, also he stretches his connection with events to Reaganism to the extreme. Quotes and theories are taken so far out of context it is laughably inaccurate. The book wsan't as interesting as I had hoped, more of a leftist rant on our mid-right nation.