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Robert B. Reich
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The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It Hardcover – March 24, 2020

by Robert B. Reich (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,050 ratings
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From the bestselling author of Saving Capitalism and The Common Good, comes an urgent analysis of how the "rigged" systems of American politics and power operate, how this status quo came to be, and how average citizens can enact change.

There is a mounting sense that our political-economic system is no longer working, but what is the core problem and how do we remedy it? With the characteristic clarity and passion that have made him a central civil voice, bestselling author of Saving Capitalism and The Common Good Robert B. Reich shows how wealth and power have combined to install an oligarchy and undermine democracy. Reich exposes the myths of meritocracy, national competitiveness, corporate social responsibility, the “free market,” and the political “center,” all of which are used by those at the top to divert attention from their takeover of the system and to justify their accumulation of even more wealth and power. In demystifying the current system, Reich reveals where power actually lies and how it is wielded, and invites us to reclaim power and remake the system for all.
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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Knopf
  4. Publication date
    March 24, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    5.21 x 0.93 x 7.77 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0525659048
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0525659044
  8. See all details
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4.7 out of 5 stars
2,050 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and well-researched. They describe it as an easy, enjoyable read that explains the issues clearly. The book is described as brilliant and memorable. Readers appreciate the clear, concise language used to describe the problems and desired way forward.

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InsightReadabilityClarity
52 customers mention "Insight"49 positive3 negative

Customers find the book provides insightful analysis into the context behind America's rigged economic system. They find it well-researched, informative, and easy to read, with many good points to keep in mind. The book speaks truth to power and provides a fact-based presentation that reveals the real "America" as a money-driven economy. Overall, readers appreciate the straightforward talk about the economy and how it functions.

"...of the root cause to so many of our woes, even beyond our economic well-being...." Read more

"...Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson stunningly insightful book, Why Nations Fail, comes to mind with their thesis that countries fail because of..." Read more

"...This one is no different, with clarity of thought and provocation Reich provides compelling arguments on how oligarchs rig the system to their favor..." Read more

"Very straight talk about our economy & the way it functions!..." Read more

48 customers mention "Readability"48 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They describe it as a must-read for Americans, with an insightful analysis of the economic system.

"Robert Reich has written a brilliant new book in The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It...." Read more

"...Overcoming Oligarchy. Positives: 1. Engaging and well-written book that is accessible to the masses. 2...." Read more

"...Well written and organized. Easy to read and comprehend. A must read." Read more

"...Generally worth the read, whatever your political affiliation." Read more

38 customers mention "Clarity"32 positive6 negative

Customers find the book clear and concise. It explains the problems and preferred solution in a logical manner. They appreciate the interesting stats and how the author worded things. The book paints a detailed, vivid picture and provides a thought-provoking and critical look at our political and economic system.

"...Mr. Reich offers a concise and very readable understanding of the root cause to so many of our woes, even beyond our economic well-being...." Read more

"...It’s an eye-opener…" Read more

"...2. Thought-provoking and critical look at our political and economic system. 3. Reich sets the tone in the Introduction. “..." Read more

"No nonsense breakdown of the current state of America. Well written and organized. Easy to read and comprehend. A must read." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • tomkowt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I've read laying out the truth of what ails American economic prosperity for the 90%.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    We've heard the terms "rigged" and "oligarchy" over the last several years, but I doubt the average American citizen knows what they actually mean. Mr. Reich offers a concise and very readable understanding of the root cause to so many of our woes, even beyond our economic well-being. He does not pull punches when he criticizes how our current system is weighted heavily toward the very rich and powerful. In fact, he even mentions a few of these oligarchs by name. Over the last several decades, they have tilted the playing field ever more in their direction, capturing bigger and bigger slices of the pie and leaving regular folks with crumbs. A general feeling of discontent, even downright anger, has been aflame for quite some time and I fear a boiling point will be reached unless we rise up and demand real change before it's too late and a social breakdown will occur, causing many more to suffer. What will happen? Near the end of the book, Mr. Reich offers a ray of hope, stating that Americans have overcome adversity before and will seek to rebalance again. I hope he is right. For me, I have lived most of my life in this current system of ours and wasn't around to experience the past upheavals the country has endured. I am counting on Mr. Reich's optimism since he has indeed lived through those past times and has the wisdom to make a better-informed prediction. But I admit that I'm cynical. I see too many people disengaged from their civic duties. Their lives are surrounded by a cacophony of noise that makes them disinformed and misinformed and they'd rather be glued to every detail regarding the Kardashian's than taking the time to educate themselves on what is really happening and how it's affecting their lives. They can start by reading this book by Mr. Reich.
    17 people found this helpful
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  • Kelley Ridings
    5.0 out of 5 stars Countering a Have vs. Have Nots Society
    Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2020
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    Robert Reich has written a brilliant new book in The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It. His premise is the United States system over the last 40 years has been highjacked by the ultra-wealthy who he calls the oligarchy (rule of the few). He convincingly asserts the oligarchs (the wealthiest 10% of the US population) have turned the wheels of government, finance, and economy totally to their full advantage. On the other hand the lower 90% of the population have seen almost no economic advantage in the last 40 years while the oligarchs wealth has exploded to astronomical proportions.

    Throughout the book I was reminded of other fantastic books that have similar conclusions. Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson stunningly insightful book, Why Nations Fail, comes to mind with their thesis that countries fail because of extractive leadership that exploit a nation’s economy to the advantage of a few oligarchs. A Warning by Anonymous shows how the current US presidency is both incompetent, inept, and the definition of oligarchical. Janesville: Am American Story shows the plight of those regular Americans left behind in the economy meltdown of the Great Recession. Jessica Bruder’s Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty First Century shows how many Americans are one step away from homelessness searching for itinerant seasonal jobs while living in their vehicles. Even Democracy, Inc. by the Washington Post shows how Congress has created a plethora of laws to benefit the members of Congress through what is in essence legalized corruption. All these authors, Reich included as the most famous of them, all show how an oligarchic America has dramatically failed every day people in stubbornly blocking their opportunities to get ahead in a economy rigged at all levels for the nearly exclusive benefit of the wealthy few.

    Reich believes that it’s an active and well-informed electorate can check the power and greed of the oligarch class. I agree. We have seen that power in the 2018 mid-term elections, but if that carries forward to the 2020 election remains to be seen. He also sees this struggle as not just being a Republican vs. Democratic struggle but instead being one of the haves vs. have nots. Reich’s last book, The Common Good, shows how important it is for us as a people to work toward improving society for the good of all, another example of being active in bettering society. Reich is one of the great political thinkers of our times, and this book clearly shows why. This is a provocative read well worth reading.
    37 people found this helpful
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  • Scott McLeod
    5.0 out of 5 stars An important read if you care about government that works for all of us, not just the wealthy
    Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2022
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    I am a former Social Studies teacher and attorney, and current school law instructor. Accordingly, I care quite a bit about the health of our American democracy. Right now we see a number of extant challenges to some very basic political precepts that we have taken for granted for far too long (for instance, voting rights, the peaceful transfer of government control, and the ability of Congress to actually get anything done, just to name a few). In his book, The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It, Robert Reich describes quite clearly how our current political, judicial, and basic governance processes are all working for the moneyed few, not the general American public. Reich shows us how nearly every decision made in government benefits those who are wealthy, not average citizens, making the United States a democracy in name but an oligarchy in reality. Wealth and political inequality right now are greater than they have been in a century. If you want to know why so many American citizens are rightfully angry that their economic, health, and political interests aren’t being addressed by the people whom they elected to represent them, read this book. It’s an eye-opener…
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Ash
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book. Working class people need to read this.
    Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Those who are working class and see something wrong with the world must read this. Reich unveils a pattern of behaviour from the American elites and how they have bent the American political system to their will and have done the same around the world.

    They say the right words about injustice and inequality, but deny that any government (including one's for everyday people) can fix things. Reich provides a strong case for why we should care about politics and why we ought to be participating now more than ever.
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  • Hilary L
    5.0 out of 5 stars An eye opener
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 27, 2023
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    Robert B Reich shows how rich corporations have a stranglehold on politics and ordinary people. Also, he shows how Trump plays his cards to enable the stranglehold to continue, to the detriment of the people who vote for him.
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  • Kewal Singh Negi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to know the reality of system which we are living
    Reviewed in India on December 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Recommended for everybody to know the truth about rigged system made by capitalist class and ceo to make profits from by making system rigged and dyfunctional
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  • Client d'Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Très bonne description du système US
    Reviewed in France on May 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Bonjour excellente description du système social US.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must-read for active citizenry
    Reviewed in Germany on January 7, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Concise diagnosis of America's political and economic dysfunctions and the direction of their remedies. I would recommend reading this book.
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