Democracy for the Few

by Michael Parenti

Book Overview

Parenti's provocative critique of class power within traditional political institutions will arouse classroom debate and introduce students to a unique viewpoint of American capitalism. Unlike most texts on the American political system, DEMOCRACY FOR THE FEW emphasizes the political economy of public policy and who gets what.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312193580
• ISBN13: 9780312193584
• Release Date: January 1983
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 369 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Interesting in its political content that will awaken your political senses.

I bought this book in order to get an understanding of a differing political view, versus my own percieved political view.. I found that while this book did open my eyes to some disturbing things that I never realized what was going on in our government, its ideology and the deceptive politics behind our democratic system. I also found that in Capter 9 " " Political Repression and National Insecurity" was exactly what the Democrats are now doing to the Republican Conservatives here in 2024. They've both have been weaponizing the DOJ, FBI, and IRS for political gain and advantage for decades. I also learned of the political maneuvers done by both parties to garner votes by payoffs, redistricting and creating voter suppression. Thru the media, we're told that this isn't being done, but really has been perpetrated by both parties for decades, as well.This apparantly is nothing new. My understanding of the progressive movement and ideology is better understood by me and I'll agree, it does have some merits that I do agree with. We have been conditioned to believe that this government is for the people and by the people, but looking at the big picture, it never has been. I found that by reading this book, I found that I wasn't a strong conservative, but a moderate conservative that abhors the deception and slight of hand by our government and the politicians that are supposed to look after our best interest, which they all don't, both Republican and Democrat alike. Like they say " Its all about the money" ! Its never been more true than now. This book is a good read for all, regardless of your political affiliation , at the very least you'll come away with knowing that most of us have more in common than we do differences. Most of us citizens are the peasants, being used by the wealthy corporations, the banks, investors, the wealthy and the government to ensure that the wealthy remain in power and in control at our expense. Eye opening book that despite its criticism of capitalism, ( with or without merit), both political parties are definitely playing from the same playbook, in order to get a bigger piece of the pie, at the tax payers expense. Good read !

A sobering look at modern American politic and economics

A firend who is a political science grad student advised I read this. I was impressed by the thorough analysis of The American version of Realpolitik presented in Mr. Parenti's book. His writing style is clear and direct as this book was intended to be a polital science textbook. He presents facts about the realities of class and the efforts of the existing ruling "elite" to maitain their grip on power here and abroad. Unlike other reviewers here, I didn't feel Mr.Parenti was "America bashing" or that he "hates buisness". On the contrary, I think his intent here (and in other writings I've since read)is to inform people and encourage them to use this knowledge to get more involved with democracy. He is shows that democracy and capitalism need not automatically go hand in hand.Also, other reviews here question the sources in this book. Apparently they discount ALL the sources here because of the use of some left-wing texts. Obviously we're expected to believe only right-wing journalism... Hope you enjoy this book!

Not for the Chronically Indoctrinated

In response to the two reviewers below...The fact that Spiro Agnew resigned in exchange for the dropping of charges of bribery, extortion and income tax evasion is not discredited by evasive angles. The fact that such facts are not discussed in most school textbooks is very much a political issue.In regard to "credible sources," the first chapter alone of 'Democracy for the Few' refers to mainstream publications such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post 36 times and judiciously utilizes 14 references from alternative publications such as Multinational Monitor and The Nation whose bias is merely the undoing of the blatant anti-labor, pro-plutocracy bias of the mainstream corporate owned media. This same ratio applies relatively throughout the remaining chapters. One of the central facts discussed in the book comes right out of the IRS Statistics of Income Bulletin, 1999-2000:"Who Owns America?The top 10 percent of American households own 98 percent of the tax-exempt state and local bonds, 94 percent of business assets, and 95 percent of the value of all trusts. The richest 1 percent own 60 percent of all corporate stock and all business assets. True, some 40 percent of families own some stocks or bonds, but almost all of these have total holdings of less than $2,000. Taking into account their debts and mortgages, 90 percent of American families have little or no net assets." (page 9)Parenti then goes into how our political system is very much run by and for this tiny owning class and how the rest of us are affected by it.The book is refreshingly clear, well written, entirely scholarly yet very engaging. None of the partial complaints "Timothy Kidd" cites below apply whatsoever.A mindless, knee-jerk negative reaction to a rare political science book such as this by some is expected given the extent to which so many unconsciously buy into the business class's pervasive status-quo-protecting viewpoints.

a first-rate critical analysis from a progressive angle

Parenti tells it like it is, and his well-documented book may shock the majority of us spoon-fed propaganda by the mainstream media. He addresses issues that the powers-that-be are afraid to, like the maldistribution of wealth, the regressive nature of the tax system, the enormous subsidies granted to the rich using our tax dollars, the anti-poor and racist nature of our criminal justice system, the class motivations underlying the US government's myriad interventions overseas, and the conservative media bias. He writes very well, and his logic is compelling and impeccable. While Dr. Parenti is very critical of the current "politico-economic system," that does not make him a communist, though that is what many embarassed elites will call him. He is a progressive, a compassionate man thoroughly concerned with the well-being of working people, and this is apparent from his writing. Writing with such conviction about the ugly realities of American life will never get him on one of those sunday-afternoon political talk shows, because the elites that run the media are frankly terrified of him telling the ordinary people the facts about class and political power in America. I have read many books on politics and economics in my life, and of many excellent ones, this is probably the best and most comprehensive. This is a phenomenal and eye-opening book. I am currently reading anothr one of his books, Blackshirts and Reds, and that one appears to be just as good as Democracy for the Few.