Waubonsee Community College

Kill it to save it, an autopsy of capitalism's triumph over democracy, by Corey Dolgon

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 255-302) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Kill it to save it

bibliography

1030307694

by Corey Dolgon

an autopsy of capitalism's triumph over democracy

For decades now, American voters have been convinced to support public policies that only benefit those in power. But how do the powerful extract consent from citizens whose own self-interest and collective well-being are constantly denied? And why do so many Americans seem to have given up on quality public education, on safe food and safe streets, on living wages--even on democracy itself? Kill It to Save It lays bare the hypocrisy of contemporary US political discourse, documenting the historical and theoretical trajectory of capitalism's triumph over democracy. Tackling the interconnected issues of globalization, neoliberalism, and declining public institutions, Corey Dolgon argues that American citizens now accept reform policies that destroy the public sector (seemingly in the public interest) and a political culture that embraces what Stephen Colbert calls "truthiness"--a willingness to agree to arguments that feel right "in the gut" regardless of fancy science or messy facts. In a narrative that stretches from the post-Vietnam War era to the present parade of political reality TV and debates over Black Lives Matter, Dolgon dismantles US common-sense cultural discourse. His original, alternative account reveals that this ongoing crisis in US policy will not cease until a critical mass of American citizens recognizes what has been lost, and in whose interest. Includes a postscript to bring the book up to date in early 2018

Introduction: In my life -- Part 1. The strange life of Kill it to save it : origins, theories and myths. Overview: Why an autopsy? : the politics of history ; The Vietnamization of America ; Mourning again in America -- Part 2. Learning American style : the life and death of American education. Overview: History of learning American style ; How the knowledge economy killed knowledge, and other scary stories out of school ; The university burns while the knowledge factory hums -- Part 3. Junk food, junk science, and junk freedom : life and death in America. Overview: History of health in America ; Industrialized food and industrialized farmers ; Junk food, junk science and a bad case of mad truth disease ; Junk freedom, broken windows, and Black Lives Matter -- Part 4. The life and death of America's economy and government. Overview: It's the political economy, stupid ; Beyond voodoo economics : the myth of Marco Rubio ; Shock doctrines, disaster capitalism, and smart ALECs ; The myth of common sense austerity and the slow death of America's economy -- Epilogue: Innocents abroad, trouble at home : Kill it to save it goes global -- Postscript

Autopsy of capitalism's triumph over democracy