Robert Jennings

Authoritarian Nightmare: The Ongoing Threat of Trump's Followers is a compelling analysis by John W. Dean and Bob Altemeyer that delves into the psychological underpinnings of the unwavering support for former President Donald Trump. The authors explore the dynamics of authoritarianism in American politics, focusing on the followers who continue to endorse Trump's ideology even after his presidency. John W. Dean, former White House counsel during the Nixon administration, collaborates with Bob…

In The Fourth Turning Is Here, Neil Howe expands upon the generational theory he co-authored in the 1997 book The Fourth Turning. This sequel analyzes historical cycles, or "turnings," that recur approximately every 80 to 100 years, each consisting of four phases: High, Awakening, Unraveling, and Crisis. According to Howe, we are currently in the Fourth Turning, a period of upheaval and transformation. Howe examines patterns from past crises, such as the American Revolution, Civil War, and…

The Deficit Myth by Stephanie Kelton challenges conventional views on government deficits, introducing readers to Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). Kelton, a leading advocate of MMT, argues that understanding the true nature of government spending can lead to more effective economic policies and a more equitable society. The book dismantles the common belief that governments should manage their budgets like households, emphasizing that sovereign currency issuers, like the United States, operate…

Money For Nothing by Thomas Levenson is a fascinating account of the South Sea Bubble, one of history’s first major financial crises, and its profound impact on the development of modern capitalism. Levenson provides a vivid narrative that explores how this financial scheme captivated 18th-century Britain, drawing parallels to the economic systems we recognize today. The book unravels the story of how the South Sea Company, originally established to manage government debt, transformed into a…

Dark Money by Jane Mayer is a compelling investigation into the secretive world of elite billionaires who have played a pivotal role in shaping American politics. Mayer meticulously traces the influence of wealthy conservative figures, notably the Koch brothers, in funding and orchestrating a network designed to sway political power in favor of their interests. The book delves into the origins of this movement, highlighting how vast sums of undisclosed money have been funneled into think tanks,…

Democracy in Chains by Nancy MacLean reaches into the concealed history and machinations of the radical right in the United States. The book uncovers a decades-long effort by a network of wealthy individuals and political actors to reshape democratic governance and align it with their free-market ideology. At its heart lies James McGill Buchanan, a Nobel Prize-winning economist whose ideas provided the foundation for this transformative strategy. MacLean traces the roots of this movement to…