American Apocalypse: The Six Far-Right Groups Waging War on Democracy

by Rena Steinzor

A thorough analysis of the right-wing interests contributing to the downfall of American democracy The war on American democracy is at a fever pitch. Such a corrosive state of affairs did not arise spontaneously up from the people but instead was pushed, top-down, by six private sector special interest groups―big business, the House Freedom Caucus, the Federalist Society, Fox News, white evangelicals, and armed militias. In American Apocalypse Rena Steinzor argues that these groups are nothing more than well-financed armies fighting a battle of attrition against the national government, with power, money, and fame as their central motivations. The book begins at the end of Lyndon Johnson's presidency, when the modern regulatory state was born. Agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration ensured that everything from our air to our medicine was safe. But efforts to thwart this "big government" agenda began swiftly, albeit in the shadows. Business leaders built a multi-billion dollar presence in the Capitol, and the rest of the six interest groups soon followed. While the groups do not coordinate their attacks, and sometimes their short-term goals even conflict, their priorities fall within a surprisingly tight the size and power of the administrative state. In the near-term, their campaigns will bring the crucial functions of government to a halt, which will lead to immediate suffering by the working classes, and a rapid deterioration of race relations. Over the long-term, as the prevalence of global pandemics and climate crises increase, an incapacitated national government will usher in unimaginable harm. This book is the first to conceptualize these groups together, as one deconstructive and awe-inspiring force. Steinzor delves into each of their histories, mapping the strategies, tactics, and characteristics that make them so powerful. She offers the most comprehensive story available about the downfall of American democracy, reminding us that only by recognizing what we are up against can we hope to bring about change.

Genres: Politics

348 pages, Hardcover

Published July 9, 2024

About the author

Rena Steinzor is professor at the University of Maryland Law School and the author of Mother Earth and Uncle Sam: How Pollution and Hollow Government Hurt Our Kids.

Reviews

[Jerry Wall]

Six Far-Right Groups waging War on Democracy; and what is covered lays pout the groups and their approach to slimy the governement.
Groups are: Corporations; 2. The Tea Party; 3. The Federalist Society; 4. Fox News: 5. White Evangelicals; and 6. groups established as Militia. Compelling illustrations related to why those groups oppose democracy and how they feel it can be weakened.
January 6 insurgency spoke for the aim of taking over government to change the election and
it is likely we will wsee additional denials of elections . Hard or harder times seem to be on
horizon. We will see.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steinzor has written an excellent and well researched book. She has a solid understanding of the topic and is clear in how she presents the material. Simply, this is an excellent read.

Several things to note -

First, the book was written prior to the 2024 election. While that does not change her research findings, it means a lot of the aspiring goals of the groups she discusses are now being done. Such events would be greatly informative to her research.

Second, and related to the first, she makes some accurate prophetic statements about what would happen should Trump win. Virtually everything she suggests would happen are being done.

Third, on the negative side, I feel she overstates her case in the chapters on corporations and Fox News. While such organizations are clearly desiring to maintain power, I'm not sure I'd suggest they are ardent in ending democracy. Other groups she examines, such as militias, clearly wish to see an end to our democratic way of life.

Also note Steinzor is an academic and much of what she writes holds an academic frame. It would also be noted her "solutions" section, while excellent, is based on her idea of what would work.

Still, for this day and time, her work is of great value.