Introduction
Democracy in Chains a book written by Nancy MacLean reveals the story of how the government tried to make laws in secret. In particular, the book shows how government officials try to influence society and even famous people can make the right influence. The main idea of the work is to explain the theory of social choice and how it works with society. In particular, much attention is paid to significant figures, that is, people who played vital parts in implementing changes in their time. The author’s key argument is that usually, government officials introduce changes only for certain groups of people, and public needs only cover their actions.
Public choice is unnecessary and populist.
Considering the author’s concept and meaning of public choice, it is assumed that all decisions that will be implemented will usually consider all possible opinions. It is essential to understand that such ideas should help establish equality in society and settle all the issues that arise to satisfy all needs (Piano 290). However, the author doubts that this theory is entirely unnecessary and populist in that the rights and needs of only certain parts of society are usually considered.
MacLean focuses on the fact that when considering the theory of social choice, it is also necessary to consider the economic issue. Under this concept, it is worth saying that all matters that politicians decide are often analyzed through the prism of economics (MacLean 10). In this way, the author drew attention to the fact that sometimes decisions are essential to stabilize society and the economic sphere. Most decisions are aimed only at certain castes of people in the community, and this theory of social choice is not always active.
Charles Koch and his involves
Charles Koch is almost a key figure in the book, and based on the actions of this person; the author draws many conclusions and assumptions. In particular, it is worth considering that Koch is a billionaire who was actively involved in the political sphere at one time (MacLean 78). His activities were based mainly on changing democracy in the USA. That is, the main idea of this man was to try to take control of the American government.
The author uses the example of Charles Koch for a reason because it is in this way that it is fashionable to see how the system of public choice does not work. First, one should note that Koch often used such a theory and referred to it. However, all his arguments did not go further than the top of society (MacLean 20). All the actions the man tried to use were primarily contemptuous of other castes of society. The confirmation of MacLean’s opinions is apparent because the issue of the poor, blacks or other cultural or social groups was not part of Koch’s wishes (MacLean 58). Thus, it is worth asserting that the theory of social choice may not always work correctly.
Facts are not always confirmed
MacLean does an excellent job of describing how that directed the various solutions at wealthy white people. That is, speaking about whether the book’s arguments are strong, it is worth somewhat agreeing with this (MacLean 98). The author nevertheless supports her arguments with various facts, mainly based on the theory of social choice and how wrong this theory is. However, it is also worth asserting that the author introduces several contradictory theses, particularly regarding the same Charles Koch (Fleury and Marciano 1452). These things are not entirely confirmed and do not have much explanation, which is essential for this research.
Unsurprisingly, among many researchers and people who understand the topic, the book’s arguments caused some resentment. It is worth saying that many issues revealed are very controversial and have no reasoned confirmation. In particular, the main question that arises for many people is related to the economic component. The main arguments were that, after all, the financial piece often appeared in the questions, which is why they became crucial in making individual decisions. However, people who have studied this issue, on the contrary, deny such activity and generally claim that it could have happened. Still, it did not prevail, and the author’s arguments are incorrect.
The main problem with gender is open reasoning and the fact that there are not always correct confirmations of the given points. That is, some of the author’s arguments are somewhat illogical and incorrect about discussing the issue of democracy. That is, the apparent twisting and misunderstanding of specific facts deprived the book of correct societal understanding (Farrant and Schell). In particular, many authors condemned this book; some partially and some entirely spoke negatively about this book.
Conclusion
This work was aimed at changing democracy in the United States. Controlling the US government is the man’s main idea. Owners use the example of Charles Koch to decide which way to go to show how a sovereign system does not work. First, one should note that Koch often uses this theory and agrees with it. However, not all of his ideas promote an upwardly mobile society. At the same time, this book should not be considered the best work because, due to much criticism from people, they cannot say that what is written is worth analyzing for future studies.
Works Cited
Farrant, Andrew, and Scott Scheall. “Introduction to A Collection of Reviews and Commentaries on Nancy Maclean’s Democracy in Chains.” In Including a Symposium on Ludwig Lachmann. Emerald Publishing Limited, vol. 37B, 2019, pp 115-121
Fleury, Jean-Baptiste, and Alain Marciano. “The Sound of Silence: A Review Essay of Nancy MacLean’s Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America.” Journal of Economic Literature vol. 56, no. 4, 2018, pp. 1492-1537.
MacLean, Nancy. Democracy in chains: The deep history of the radical right’s stealth plan for America. Penguin, 2018.
Piano, Ennio E. “State Capacity and Public Choice: A Critical Survey.” Public Choice, vol. 178, no. 1, 2019, pp. 289-309.