America: The Farewell Tour

Chris Hedges examines America in crisis, arguing that profound hopelessness and despair have created a culture marked by sadism and hate. He identifies multiple pathologies afflicting the nation: the opioid crisis, gambling as a response to economic hardship, the pornification of culture, magical thinking, and rising suicides. Hedges contends these are symptoms of a society damaged by corporate power and a failed democracy. Hedges argues that global upheaval from catastrophic climate change compounds these domestic crises, threatening a major reconfiguration of the nation and planet. He traces Donald Trump's rise to power to this widespread disenchantment. In America: The Farewell Tour, Hedges asserts that neither major political party, both captured by corporate interests, addresses the underlying systemic problems. He contends that until corporate control of government is reversed, these afflictions will continue to worsen. The book serves as a critique of the American dream and an attempt to prompt action before further decline becomes irreversible.