“Oligarchy is a system in which a small number of extremely wealthy individuals control the
economic political and media life of a nation. It is a system in which ordinary people have
very little power to determine the future of their country. If you’re an American it is the
system in which you’re living. That must change. In the wealthiest nation on earth we must
build a political movement that creates a government that represents all Americans not just a
handful of billionaires.” —Bernie Sanders Senator Bernie Sanders breaks down the
unprecedented crises we face today in Trump’s America as Trump undermines democracy at every
turn—and how we can effectively fight back. From the moment that Sanders began his Fighting
Oligarchy tour in the early days of the Trump administration it was clear that his message
resonated with Americans across the political spectrum. Record-breaking crowds numbering in the
tens of thousands showed up across the country. Large numbers of Americans in red states and
blue states were prepared to stand up and fight back. In this book he shows how we can
continue that fight. In a series of short pointed chapters Sanders explains how the United
States today is an oligarchic society in which a small handful of multibillionaires exercise
enormous economic and political power. He describes what it means when the very rich get much
richer while the majority of Americans struggle to pay the rent and put food on the table. And
he observes how a corrupt campaign finance system allows billionaires in both parties to
increasingly control our political system. Sanders also discusses how under Trump we are
rapidly moving toward authoritarianism–with a president who is undermining our democracy as he
attacks Congress the courts the media and law firms and universities in search of more and
more power for himself. With relentless optimism and focused energy Sanders reminds readers
that true power rests with the people—and he presents a path forward to a reinvigorated
democracy.
