Cornered: the new monopoly capitalism and the economics of destruction

'"A manifesto for our times.' Thomas Frank, Wall Street Journal Barry C. Lynn, one of the most original and surprising students of the American economy, paints a genuinely alarming picture: most of our public debates about globalization, competitiveness, creative destruction, and risky finance are nothing more than a cover for the widespread consolidation of power in nearly every imaginable sector of the American economy. Cornered strips the camouflage from the secret world of twenty-first-century monopolies-neofeudalist empires whose sheer size, vast resources, and immense political power enable the people who control to direct virtually every major industry in America in an increasinglyauthoritarian manner. Lynn reveals how these massive juggernauts, which wouldhave been illegal just thirty years ago, came into being, how they have destroyed or devoured their competition, and how they collude with one another to maintain their power and create the illusion of open, competitive markets. A confluence of small government zealotry and misguided efficient market theories has lead to a complete dismantling of government oversight of industry. Has that brought us the promised economic utopia? Just the opposite. For decades, the dominant elite has used the federal government to all but encourage companies to buy one another up, outsource all their production, and make their profits by leveraging their complete power over the market itself. Lynn makes clear it will take more than a lawsuit or two to overthrow America's corporatist oligarchy and restore a model of capitalism that protects our rights as property holders and citizens, and the independence of our Republic. Details howregular citizens can join together to beat the great powers, and how to do soby relearning the real history and language of our democratic republic. Includes stories of real people and real industries that show how monopolies threaten independent businesses, squelch innovation, degrade the quality and safety of products, destabilize vital industrial and financial systems, and destroy the fabric of democracy Explores monopoly power across a wide array of industries, including appliances, auto parts, beer, eyeglasses, medical supplies, pet food, surfboards, vitamins, and more. Demonstrates how the drive for 'always lower prices' makes your job disappear, puts your small business out of business, and turns dreams of entrepreneurial success into impossible fantasies Lynn is that rarest of creatures, a journalist whose theoretical writings are taken very seriously by the top policymakers and economic thinkers in Washington and around the world. His work has been compared already to JohnKenneth Galbraith and Peter Drucker. The Washington Post called Lynn's last book-on globalization-'Tom Friedman for grownups.' Cornered is essential reading for anyone who cares about America and its future. " INDICE: Preface: Of Rule and Ruin vii Acknowledgments xix 1 The Hidden Monopolies Everywhere 1 2 Supply and Command 31 3 The Crystal House 57 4 The Market Masters 92 5 In the Cockpit 124 6 Lightning Escapes the Bottle 152 7 The American Piece 178 8 Wreckonomics 101 211 9 To Keep Our Republic 238 Notes 251 Select Bibliography 283 Index 293

• ISBN: 978-0-470-92856-1
• Editorial: John Wiley & Sons
• Encuadernacion: Rústica
• Páginas: 336
• Fecha Publicación: 30/11/2011
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés