The Hidden History of Neoliberalism

How Reaganism Gutted America and How to Restore Its Greatness

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Paperback
$19.95 US
On sale Sep 13, 2022 | 192 Pages | 9781523002320

A progressive radio host and author reveals how neoliberalism became so prevalent in the United States and why it's time for us to turn our backs to it.

With four decades of neoliberal rule coming to an end, America is at a crossroads. In this powerful and accessible book, Thom Hartmann demystifies neoliberalism and explains how we can use this pivotal point in time to create a more positive future.

This book traces the history of neoliberalism---a set of capitalistic philosophies favoring free trade, low taxes on the rich, financial austerity, and deregulation of big business-up to the present day. Hartmann explains how neoliberalism was sold as a cure for wars and the Great Depression. He outlines the destructive impact that it has had on America, looking at how it has increased poverty, damaged the middle class, and corrupted our nation's politics.

America is standing on the edge of a new progressive era. We can continue down the road to a neoliberal oligarchy. Or we can choose to return to Keynesian economics and Alexander Hamilton's American Plan by raising taxes on the rich, reversing free trade, and building a society that works for all.

“The destabilization [neoliberalism’s] policies have wrought have left our generation with the task to rebuild; and Hartmann’s book shows the way.” —Leila Conners, founder and Director, Tree Media and Need to Know (N2K)

“Thom Hartmann makes it crystal clear how neoliberal free-market economics benefits monopolistic big business and the ultrarich while impoverishing our country and everyone else.” —Earl Katz, progressive activist and Emmy-nominated documentary film producer

“This compact handbook nimbly recapitulates the political effects of neoliberalism as it percolated through world history.” —George DiCaprio
Sample chapters

Foreword by Greg Palast
Introduction: The Plot to Save the World
The Birth of Neoliberalism
Neoliberalism Goes to Work
Neoliberalism Comes to America
Trump Attacks Neoliberalism
Biden Challenges Neoliberalism’s Core Concepts
How Neoliberalism Changed America in 40 years
Taxes
Healthcare
Education and Higher Education
The Environment
Destruction of Democracy
Breaking with 40 Years of Neoliberalism
#TaxTheRich
Rebuilding a Middle Class Gutted by Neoliberalism
Trade: Returning to Alexander Hamilton’s “American Plan”
Hamilton’s 11-Step Plan Worked for 188 Years
Break Up the Monopolies
Progressive Populism to Replace Progressive Neoliberalism
Standing on the Edge
Thom Hartmann is a four‐time winner of the Project Censored Award, a New York Times bestselling author of over thirty books, and America’s #1 progressive talk radio show host for more than a decade. His show is carried on SiriusXM and radio stations nationwide and simulcast as television on Free Speech TV.

About

A progressive radio host and author reveals how neoliberalism became so prevalent in the United States and why it's time for us to turn our backs to it.

With four decades of neoliberal rule coming to an end, America is at a crossroads. In this powerful and accessible book, Thom Hartmann demystifies neoliberalism and explains how we can use this pivotal point in time to create a more positive future.

This book traces the history of neoliberalism---a set of capitalistic philosophies favoring free trade, low taxes on the rich, financial austerity, and deregulation of big business-up to the present day. Hartmann explains how neoliberalism was sold as a cure for wars and the Great Depression. He outlines the destructive impact that it has had on America, looking at how it has increased poverty, damaged the middle class, and corrupted our nation's politics.

America is standing on the edge of a new progressive era. We can continue down the road to a neoliberal oligarchy. Or we can choose to return to Keynesian economics and Alexander Hamilton's American Plan by raising taxes on the rich, reversing free trade, and building a society that works for all.

“The destabilization [neoliberalism’s] policies have wrought have left our generation with the task to rebuild; and Hartmann’s book shows the way.” —Leila Conners, founder and Director, Tree Media and Need to Know (N2K)

“Thom Hartmann makes it crystal clear how neoliberal free-market economics benefits monopolistic big business and the ultrarich while impoverishing our country and everyone else.” —Earl Katz, progressive activist and Emmy-nominated documentary film producer

“This compact handbook nimbly recapitulates the political effects of neoliberalism as it percolated through world history.” —George DiCaprio

Table of Contents

Sample chapters

Foreword by Greg Palast
Introduction: The Plot to Save the World
The Birth of Neoliberalism
Neoliberalism Goes to Work
Neoliberalism Comes to America
Trump Attacks Neoliberalism
Biden Challenges Neoliberalism’s Core Concepts
How Neoliberalism Changed America in 40 years
Taxes
Healthcare
Education and Higher Education
The Environment
Destruction of Democracy
Breaking with 40 Years of Neoliberalism
#TaxTheRich
Rebuilding a Middle Class Gutted by Neoliberalism
Trade: Returning to Alexander Hamilton’s “American Plan”
Hamilton’s 11-Step Plan Worked for 188 Years
Break Up the Monopolies
Progressive Populism to Replace Progressive Neoliberalism
Standing on the Edge

Author

Thom Hartmann is a four‐time winner of the Project Censored Award, a New York Times bestselling author of over thirty books, and America’s #1 progressive talk radio show host for more than a decade. His show is carried on SiriusXM and radio stations nationwide and simulcast as television on Free Speech TV.

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