“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 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 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.
