The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy

Christopher Lasch

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy" by Christopher Lasch is a thought-provoking analysis of contemporary society and its deepening divide between the elites and the rest of the population. Lasch argues that the rise of a disconnected and self-perpetuating elite class has eroded the foundations of democracy.

In his exploration, Lasch reveals how the elites, who comprise the intellectual and professional classes, have abandoned their responsibility towards the greater society. Instead of using their knowledge and resources to promote the common good, they have embraced a globalist ideology that prioritizes their own interests.

Lasch identifies the ways in which elites have consolidated power and influence, establishing a system that perpetuates their privileged position and marginalizes the majority. This includes the trend of outsourcing jobs, leaving behind the working class and middle class who face economic uncertainties. Moreover, Lasch examines the impact of mass media and the entertainment industry, which play a significant role in promoting the values and experiences of the elites, further alienating the average citizen.

The author highlights the consequences of this growing divide, particularly in politics. Lasch argues that democratic principles are undermined when the elites prioritize their own interests above those of the larger society. This results in a detached political class that is out of touch with the real concerns of the people, leading to disillusionment and the rise of populist movements.

Lasch's critique extends beyond the elites themselves, as he also questions the complicity of the intellectual class, including academics, in perpetuating this betrayal of democracy. He calls for a re-engagement of intellectuals with the problems affecting the majority, urging them to prioritize the well-being of society rather than positioning themselves as detached observers.

"The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy" is a compelling and incisive examination of the contemporary state of democracy. Lasch's work serves as a rallying cry for a return to democratic values and a challenge to the entrenched interests that threaten the foundations of a just society.

Explore More Books

See All
The Kelly Capital Growth Investment Criterion
Tree Crops
Obsession
The Capitalist Manifesto
In FED We Trust
A Year with Rumi
Hacks
Hansel and Gretel
Rubicon
The Fourth Revolution
Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees
The Lifecycle of Software Objects
King of Capital
Slow Horses
The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read
American Exceptionalism
The Price of Tomorrow
Conquest, Tribute & Trade
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big
The Macintosh Way
Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air
The Fabric of Civilization
Leaders
East of Eden
In Cold Blood
Virtual Economies
Why Nations Fail
Bowling Alone
Gödel, Escher, Bach
How To Avoid a Climate Disaster
Caste
The Rosie Project
Extreme Ownership
Eco-Farm
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
The Fall
War
Bass Culture
Fallout
Siddhartha
Wing Leader
A World-Class Education
Metamagical Themas
More Money Than God
The Body Keeps The Score
The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life
Infectious Generosity
The Remains Of The Day
Jurassic Park
There Must Be A Pony In Here Somewhere
The New One Minute Manager
Structures
The Plus, Self-Help for People Who Hate Self-Help
Living Within Limits
Starlink
Dreamstate
This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends
What It Takes
Creativity and the Brain
The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing
Wild
Mindstorms
Mean Genes
The Fabric of Reality
The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King
The Mind of Napoleon
Zucked
Vasistha's Yoga
The Art of War in the Middle Ages
The Sandman
Powers of Two
Mindset
Being You
The Most Important Thing Illuminated
McMafia
Seeking Wisdom
Rational Expectations
Ordinary Men
Kochland
The Business Blockchain
A History of the Theory of Investments
The Unincorporated Man
Use of Weapons
The Art of  Scientific Investigation
Your Keys Our Home
How to Get Lucky
Forward the Foundation
Unsavory Truth
The Spider Network
The Truth about Carbs
Deiter Rams
The Ordeal of Civility
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Neuromancer
The Warren Buffett Portfolio
Acid Test
Models of My Life
The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive
White Working Class
The Seat of the Soul