The Hidden History of American Oligarchy: Reclaiming Our Democracy from the Ruling Class

Thom Hartmann examines the corrupting influence of oligarchy throughout American history and proposes strategies for reclaiming democratic control from wealthy elites. Hartmann argues that billionaire oligarchs have used legislation and Supreme Court decisions to gain control over the republic, installing political allies and funding networks that advance their interests. He traces the historical tension between democracy and oligarchy from America's founding through the Civil War, the Great Depression, and into the present day. He contends that in previous crises—the 1929 crash and Franklin Roosevelt's confrontation with "economic royalists"—Americans successfully resisted oligarchic control. However, he warns that current conditions—including right-wing media dominance, unlimited campaign contributions, and conservative judicial control—represent a critical threat. Hartmann outlines practical measures to address this crisis: breaking up media monopolies, limiting money's influence in politics, reclaiming wealth concentrated by oligarchs, and building a movement to return power to ordinary citizens. He argues that action is necessary before the nation slides toward authoritarianism.