Tyranny of Greed: Trump, Corruption, and the Revolution to Come

Description

Democracy is being destroyed by an ancient evil, and modernity is in denial. In Tyranny of Greed , Timothy K. Kuhner reveals the United States to be a government by and for the wealthy, with Trump―the spirit of infinite greed―at its helm. Taking readers on a tour through evolutionary biology, psychology, and biblical sources, Kuhner explores how democracy emerged from religious and revolutionary awakenings. He argues that to overcome Trump's regime and establish real democracy, we must reconnect with that radical heritage. Our political tradition demands a revolution against corruption. Watch the trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=9fla0XoqX0M&feature=youtu.beReview"Many books are announcing the downfall of American democracy, but Tyranny of Greed operates on another level. It's an original and powerful work of art. Tapping into a deeper awareness, Kuhner helps us recognize this dark time for what it really is-- an opportunity for rebirth. Yes, I feel shaken, but also awakened. The more people who read this book, the more transformative our national conversation will become." —Frances Moore Lappé, bestselling author or co-author of nineteen books, from Diet for a Small Planet to Daring Democracy (with Adam Eichen)"Explosive, penetrating and utterly compelling, Kuhner charts the death spiral of American democracy as it collapses into the black hole of the religion of money. Never before in human history have noble ideals been corrupted so deeply with the connivance of so many. This book lays tyranny bare for all to see - as a mirror for the human soul." (Philip Goodchild author of Theology of Money and Credit and Faith )"Stunning! Amidst the avalanche of recent books about how the United States became a kleptocracy headed by a man of naked need and greed, this is the one to read. Combining deep knowledge of Constitutional law, savvy analyses of political texts and events, and splendid readings of Dante, Milton, and the Bible, Kuhner reveals how the corrupting force of Mammon steadily gained the institutionalized power to choke the American experiment in democracy, almost to death. This book is as original and gripping as it is persuasive. Its agenda for transformation is essential, no matter who wins the 2020 election." (Wendy Brown, University of California Berkeley )“This book captures the nature of corruption in the Trump Era better than any other in print. The essence of corruption is self-involvement, self-indulgence, luxuriousness, and the loosening and discarding of the restraints of social bonds. Foundational norms of awareness of others and community responsibility are gradually replaced and ultimately overwhelmed by greed in all areas of personal and political life. The ethos of the Trump Era is materialism, impersonalism, and unabashed greed for money and power at any moral cost. How were two centuries of American idealism so suddenly and rapidly overwhelmed? This book tells us how we got here. And it tells us how we can fight the virus of corruption that threatens to destroy our shared culture and fragile democratic institutions.” —Laura S. Underkuffler, J. DuPratt White Professor, Cornell University, author of Captured by Evil: The Idea of Corruption in Law “Tyranny of Greed is the most incisive critique yet of the Trump presidency and the system that created it. The story is brilliant, the method dramatic, and the scholarship impressive. This gripping piece of work cements Kuhner’s status as one of the most original, interesting and effective contemporary scholars of U.S. constitutional law.” —K D Ewing, Professor of Public Law, King’s College London, author of The Cost of Democracy and Bonfire of the Liberties "In the span of a few years we have gone from arguing over politics, to arguing about how many tens of thousands of deaths would be worth boosting the stock market. We have become accustomed to wearing surgical masks to protect us from pandemics, and gas masks to protect us from riot police. If you're as worried about the effects of Trump's election as I am, then this brave and surprising book is for you. Kuhner locates not only the underlying causes of the crisis, but also the strength we need to overcome it." (Reza Aslan author of Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth ) "Timothy Kuhner captures the essence of Donald Trump―and modern American politics―in this illuminating book. Trump is many things but above all, Kuhner convincingly argues, he is the embodiment of greed. And his rise to power is no accident but, rather, the predictable product of a system that ignores corruption and enables the wealthy to dominate elections. To fix American democracy, Trump's defeat won't be enough. Instead, we'll have to rebuild the wall between private capital and public power." (Nicholas Stephanopoulos Harvard Law School ) "Timothy Kuhner masterfully situates Trump's presidency in broad historical perspective. He explains how and why so many Americans have come to tolerate and justify a plutocratic system with the values of greed and corruption that it sanctions. Kuhner's penetrating analysis calculates the enormous costs of our ideological complacency in spiritual, psychological, legal, cultural, and environmental terms. Everyone should heed his call for a revolutionary solution." (John T. Jost author of A Theory of System Justification ) "A fabulous read! If you want to know why Trump is a demon and, more importantly, why that demon also lies within us and our politics, you must read this book." (Joo-Cheong Tham Melbourne Law School ) "A learned and exceptionally creative meditation on our current predicament and our current president. Kuhner looks at Donald Trump, and the system that produced him, through the lenses of history, literature, philosophy, and theology. The result is explosive and vitally important." (-H. N. Hirsch, Erwin N. Griswold Professor of Politics Oberlin College )About the AuthorTimothy K. Kuhner is Associate Professor of Law at the University of Auckland. He is the author of Tyranny of Greed and Capitalism v. Democracy, and the co-editor of Democracy by the People.