Fight Oligarchy

by Bernie Sanders

“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.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Audiobook, History, Economics, Philosophy, Activism

Paperback

First published September 30, 2025

About the author

Bernard "Bernie" Sanders is the senior United States Senator from Vermont, elected on November 7, 2006. Before becoming Senator, Sanders represented Vermont's at-large district in the United States House of Representatives for 16 years. Sanders also served as mayor of Burlington, Vermont from 1981 through 1989.

Reviews

[Lupe Migliaccio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just adore Bernie Sanders with my whole heart. Definitely gives me hope. Favorite quote “they did it then, we can and will do it now” literal chills. I also can’t be the only one who laughed out loud in the beginning of chapter 2 🤣💀

Did this book help my mental health? Absolutely not. Did it help my Goodreads reading challenge? Oh Totally 🥲✌🏼

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I check the lists of new books available through Herefordshire library system regularly and I was surprised and delighted to discover this book and placed it on hold. I am the first person to check it out!

Bernie Sanders explains that “Understanding how we got here, and how we can change things for the better, is the goal of this book.”

In the first chapter, Sanders answers the question: What is oligarchy and states that “increasingly, it is the system that is dominating people in almost every country on earth.”

Power and wealth are concentrated in a minority population, while everyone else struggles to put food on the table.

Our culture is impacted too. “Corporate greed and the never-ending search for more and more profits largely determine the movies that we see, the music we hear, and what our kids consider to be “cool.””

At Trump’s inauguration, Sanders witnessed in person his vision of “government of the billionaire class, by the billionaire class, for the billionaire class.”. The core goals of Trumpism are “wealth and power.”

How did this come about? According to Sanders, “Trump filled the political vacuum the Democrats created” by overlooking the needs of working class people over several decades. Democrats failed to reach out and connect with ordinary people and Trump used this to his advantage.

The combination of “Low wages, inadequate health insurance, retirement insecurity, unaffordable housing, and healthy food that is too expensive” have driven people to desperation. “Working people want structural changes to a broken economic and political system.”

Trump has made “a very calculated effort to undermine faith in government, [to] give himself more power, and open the way for massive privatization.” Instead of working for the people, he is working to enrich his own empire and that of his rich friends, the billionaire class.

Sanders' most important and inspiring message is this: "If we don't let Trump and his fellow billionaires divide us up based on the color of our skin, where we were born, our religion, or our sexual orientation, we can beat the oligarchs and create a much better world. Not just for ourselves, but for our kids and future generations."

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

love to the graphic team and i actually quite enjoyed that it is a pocket sized book but this was a lot of basic information and a lot of shiny nice ideas that should be very possible but feel realistically very impossible, it did not light a fire in me and while i do still like and appreciate bernie for the work he does saying “isreal had the right to defend itself” on page 13 of only 140 half-sized pages pissed me off beyond belief he also he repeated sentences with the same statistics multiple times in the book for no reason and didn’t go into detail on actually anything? also for the love of god can you please just call trump a fascist with your full chest (i did like the last paragraph though and wish the rest of the book was in that sentiment)

[Panda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook (3 hours) narrated by the author Bernie Sanders
Publisher: Books on Tape

Senator Bernie Sanders is an excellent public speaker. It is no accident that his narration and audio is flawless.
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/

Last month I had learned about this book and accidentally picked up It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism. Put this one on the wait list. Read the one I had picked up. It was excellent. Then when I got this one, was similarly excellent.

This is Senator Sanders speaking about what he does, his beliefs, and documenting what has and is going on in the current political climate from his perspective. The Senator offers information, trajectories, and what can be done to reach goals that would benefit the public as a whole.

This is a quick and easy read. Regardless of your political affiliation, personally, I believe that it is important to take in information from various perspectives in order to both understand perspectives but also to get a full picture of what is going on. I find Sanders to be a rare seat holder who speaks freely and openly about politicians regardless of affiliation, calling those out who have not done their jobs or not gone far enough. He speaks with, and not at, the people, asking questions. He definitely has his own style, however his goals seem to be based on the needs of his constituents, and his decades of public service.

It's a shame that he didn't make the final ticket in his run for president, as it would have been interesting to see what his campaign and the vote would have looked like. He certainly has been one of the great influencers and voice in politics for a generation.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not even sure how to review this without doxing myself, but here goes…

This book was really good. It is what I wished Ezra Klein had done with Abundance (kept it short and not overly repetitive), but I am glad Bernie Sanders went with the short, sound-bitey more journalistic approach.

This book is a great wrap up of the ways in which our government currently operates as an oligarchy thanks in large part to the Supreme Court ruling in 2010 in Citizens United v. the United States. He also offers common sense ways to “Fight Oligarchy” which I really appreciated. These call to action books only work in so far as authors offer solutions to the problems.

My only issue is the blanket recommendation to slash military funding. When politicians suggest this it irks me because they give no ideas of WHERE we should slash funding but just that we should. I agree there is massive fraud, waste, and abuse in the execution of defense contracts, but just taking away money from the military will most likely affect service members’ pay if we do not implement very specific ways to cut this spending.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who gives a shit about the future of America (so, everybody).

4/5⭐️

[Sean Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clairo mentioned ‼️🥳🤓

[Ryan Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m confused about who his target audience is for this book. It’s good but it doesn’t really seem like it has to be a book

[Claire]

First book of 2026, short and exactly what I needed to motivate me to keep fighting

[jebrahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black Rock sounds like the name of a scorched earth.

while i don't have any universally solvent answers as to how we as individuals ought to move forward within our own extremely complicated survival-demanding lives tucked into the insidious shadow of Oligarchy, Bernie always serves us with incredible heart of information infused with his tremendous humanitarian and environmental benevolence- qualities we all need in order to be correctly and adequately informed, make smarter choices, take any lingering irksome strands of wool off our eyes (and unstitch our participation), and stay soulful in the midst of the ever-encroaching domination-driven Oligarchy. these are my words, not Bernie's-- his are so much better, and with the pocket-size of this great read, there's no reason not to read it. <3 <3 <3

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple primer on how increasing wealth inequality has brought us to a place where “planet earth and its 8 billion inhabitants are now largely controlled by a few thousand ultra-rich individuals “. Bernie details how we got to this point ( in the US and around the world), and specifically delves into how Trump has escalated the transfer of more wealth to billionaires. He also provides inspiring examples from history where common folk rose up and defeated slavery, brought about an 8 hour work day, and created the public school system.He ends the book with his thoughts on how we can defend democracy and push for policies that will create a more just and humane world. Grateful for his vision and leadership during these troubling times in our country.

[Jori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I 💛 Bernie

[Jolanta (knygupė) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toks manifestiškas tekstas, bet gi amerikiečiams reikalingas.

Po pirmo trumpo laimėjimo, pykau ant demokratų. Ir galvojau, kad jei jie nieko nedarys, trumpas vėl laimės. Voilà.
Bernie Sandersas - kur demokratai? Štai kodėl trumpas laimėjo.

Ir ta formulė veikia visur.

[Stacy40pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fight Oligarchy by Bernie Sanders. Thanks to @crownbooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bernie Sanders explains how America, like many countries, has fallen to oligarchy, and how we can resist and turn back.

A short and sweet read but hard to read because it’s full of harsh realities that we are living in. While I knew the reality, the statistics provided were a gut punch. I had to take a break at times. Bernie did a great job of keeping the hope alive though and the ending of the book, while urgent and noting the desperate situation, allows for hope to continue. My favorite part of the book was the section of other times in America we’ve been down, but fought through to win the unexpected.

“When we stand together, we win. When the ruling class divides us up, we lose. That is one of the great lessons of history that we must never forget.”

Fight Oligarchy comes out 10/21.

[Elena Espinoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need something to reinvigorate your political activism? Bernie's got you covered! This pocket guide not only defines oligarchy and provides global examples of it at work, it also highlights actionable steps citizens can take to fight against it.

[audreyindigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a quick but absolutely necessary read. i firmly believe that anyone that genuinely has an open mind would struggle to disagree with any of the content in this book.

bernie sanders has been a champion of the people throughout his entire career, and has consistently shown that he has the integrity that we deserve in all civil servants.

solidarity forever.

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fight Oligarchy: How to Defend Democracy and Reclaim Our Government by Bernie Sanders

In Fight Oligarchy, Senator Bernie Sanders makes a clear, urgent case that the United States is increasingly controlled by a tiny elite of ultra‑wealthy individuals and corporations whose power over politics, economics, and media has weakened democratic participation and widened inequality. Across short, pointed chapters, he explains how wealth concentration and a corrupt campaign finance system allow billionaires from both parties to shape public policy, often to the detriment of working families and social safety nets. Sanders also frames the rise of what he calls oligarchic influence within the context of contemporary politics, especially since the early 2020s, drawing on the energy of his nationwide “Fighting Oligarchy” tour to outline both the diagnosis of current problems and a roadmap for collective civic action to reclaim democracy.

I found Sanders’s voice forceful but grounded in decades of experience in public service; he doesn’t merely diagnose ills but offers specific proposals like empowering labor unions, regulating campaign spending, expanding voter participation, and reducing corporate influence to push back against concentrated power. The book’s brisk pace and activism‑minded tone make it feel less like academic analysis and more like a call to participate, though readers expecting neutral policy study might find its partisan passion unmistakable.

4 out of 5: a passionate, compelling plea for democratic engagement rooted in clear conviction and civic urgency.

[Natalie Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet laying out wants wrong with how the current administration is taking advantage of their power and disenfranchising the American, especially those in the working class and in poverty. Rounding up to offset those who are rating this book without reading it.

[Liz Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminder that we’ve been here before. And people are uniting. But also things are horrible. Hmm… glad I read it, and I’m inspired by this tour with AOC.

[Wendy De · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am glad this it was a short read. As many others have written, there are not many new insights here but it does offer important reminders.

Despite the important message, what drove me nuts about the book was the way Sanders offers statistics (oftentimes redundantly) with not a single foot or end note to indicate from where he secured the data. I am not questioning the validity of the data (I researched much of it as I read the book) but it serves to undercut his authority. It makes him just another politician spewing information that we as recipients have to validate. For example when discussing why a survey indicated that “80% [of Americans] are dissatisfied … with the way things are going in this country” he draws the conclusion that “[c]learly, it has a lot to do with economics.” This may be true but he presents zero evidence to support it. In this way he is guilty of some of the very things he argues weaken this nation — information being presented as facts that may or may not be true to advance an agenda.

Similarly, while he caveats that he is not a historian, this does not excuse his thin summary of movements throughout US history which he presents as evidence of how the oppressed can (and have) risen up to defeat their oppressors. He fails to note how very non-inclusive many/most of those movements were. He also fails and to mention the absolute destruction of the indigenous people that continues today. In these and many other ways, this book is very much written from a white man’s perspective. And yes, he is a white man (no problem with that) but I wish he’d of at least acknowledged how so many of the movements he presents were focused only on securing the rights of white men and their families. He then could have used that to argue the need to do better in the current fight against oligarchy.

The theme that did resonate throughout and has stayed with me, despite my issues with how the book is written, is that those who do not support what is currently going on are NOT alone, but rather are the majority! The current administration wants you to believe you are alone and in turn make you feel helpless. Sanders does a good job of arguing that we are not alone and must not quietly accept the current status quo. This is a crucial perspective.

It’s unfortunate that how this book is written undercuts the message about the importance and ability to successfully fight oligarchs. It could have been so much better.

[Taylor McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

super awesome empowering book from who i equate to essentially be america’s grandpa

[Shana Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. A super simplified version of Bernie’s policies with some extremely oversimplified history of protest movements in the US. Reads like a long speech. Rounded up to 3 stars

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Fight Oligarchy by Bernie Sanders in about two hours. The book is small and similar in size to a pocket constitution which makes it easy to carry around and reference on-the-go.

I found the book interesting, even though I was already familiar with a lot of the information. There were parts I hadn’t known before, which made it an interesting read.

One thing that stood out to me is the reminder that, despite differences in background or beliefs, many of us Americans share common experiences like being part of the working class. It was thought-provoking to consider how we can focus on what unites most of us rather than what divides us.

Overall, this book gave me a lot to think about and sparked reflection on how we engage with the issues that matter most to our communities.

[Kendrick]

Read this in Barnes and Noble today. Quick review of the state of the nation and globe and what Bernie has been doing and what you can do. He covers a lot of ground.

How Trump has betrayed the majority of his base, how inequality has rapidly increased, how movements of the past have resisted similar situations, and what is happening now in the US to resist.

Didn’t spend any time fact-checking this one, but it reminded me a bit of Tyranny. I appreciate that his writing sounds essentially like him speaking. That makes it a really quick read.

Basically, a lot of work to be done if we want a more livable world for the non-elite.

[julia jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

the world feel so incredibly bleak right now & ive struggled with how to move through that. some days im numb and apathy isn’t an option. other days im so inundated by the pain and terrors happening & emotional in a way that isn’t an option either. I’m grateful for little books like this by leaders like Bernie Sanders that acknowledge the reality we are in while providing hope by citing how justice has prevailed in the past and things we can do now for a better future. This is by no means comprehensive and is quite buzz wordy but worth a listen if you’re feeling similarly to me and just wanting a lil something. Warning: while he does condemn the genocide in Gaza he does say the infamous politician “Israel had a right to defend itself” line which elicited an eye roll. Overall, solid. I’d recommend listening as Sanders narrates it.

[Kelly Nugent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wonder if this is gonna be his last book bc it felt a little like a capstone project. As far as politicians go, I think he does a good job translating some of the political minutia into concepts that the average bear can understand. Some would prob say it’s over simplification tho. curious to know how his ideas/legacy will age. I feel like all political discourse (at least that I see) doesn’t talk enough about unions, so there was good stuff in here on that too.

[Jens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summary of economic issues facing a large portion of the US and globally. How money has infested our politics, rapidly increasing wealth inequality, disappearing middle class, declining public services.

“We need to question the fundamental moral values that underlie the dominant behavior in our society today.”

“How much wealth should any one person have? [when there are people struggling to survive] When is enough enough?”

I wish he went deeper into the agricultural consolidation that’s almost eradicated family farms and increased prices for everyone. But he did hit all the big points: basic human needs; food, housing, healthcare, education, workers rights, etc.

I hate the focus on Trump, but he is the most immediate anti-worker leader Bernie’s trying to change peoples opinion of.

“Most Americans understand that our current economic and political system is broken - and they want change. Donald Trump is providing change, but it’s change based on lies, hatred, divisiveness, self-interest, and policies that benefit the very rich at the expense of everyone else.”

Interesting format - probably didn’t need to be a book, but it reminds me of the Common Sense pamphlet during the Revolution.


“The most powerful tool the ruling class has to protect their interest is to make ordinary people feel powerless.”

“Let us stand together and go forward. Solidarity forever.”

[Rachel Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounded up to five stars from three, because y'all should read it. It's short, about 150 pages or 2.5 hours on audio. Read it now because, though the message is timeless, the minutia will loose relevancy over time, and you'll find it less engaging. So just read it now and give it five stars even if it deserves less based purely on its merits as a book.

[Jim Beatty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Power concedes nothing without a demand, it never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be impposed upon them, and these will continue until they are resisted with either words or blows or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the limits of those that they oppress. F Douglass

[Brianna Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Everyone should read it- regardless of political leanings, affiliations, or religion. It offers excellent perspective into 2025 as a member of congress and explains our economy and the role of super pacs extremely well. Covers a lot of insane statistics about the top1% and explains oligarchy in both our American experience and American rush as well as global oligarchy.

[Karen Ramirez]

extremely educational w bite sized/easy to comprehend structure! highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn
more about our current society, practical ways to enact change & ways to stand together for a better future ⭐️