Culture Editor
SPOILERS AHEAD:
Progressive American politician and activist Bernie Sanders published his sixth book, Fight the Oligarchy, on Oct. 21. In the release, Sanders details the splintered state of our political system and the importance of systematic reform. The book shares the same name as his national tour of political rallies with fellow progressive politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). Sanders conducted the rallies from February, following President Donald Trump’s election, to September. In his rallies, Sanders supported aspiring progressive political candidates, such as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, and inspired crowds with anti-corporate and pro-grassroots messaging, following trends the book strongly pushes.
Fight the Oligarchy’s central themes take root in Sanders’s view that the United States government is failing its constituents in key areas, such as healthcare, the environment, and corporate influence. As a Democratic Socialist, Sanders believes the US should implement free healthcare for all, frequently citing its position as the richest country in the history of the world and stating that its lack of guaranteed protections is embarrassing.
Sanders also highlights the lack of environmental reforms, with the government stripping those in place in the rush for progress and profit. He frequently mentions his plan for investments into renewable energy and green jobs, as well as the government’s failure to act decisively, often catering to special interests rather than its people’s needs.
Arguably, his most impactful point is the insidious creep of corporate interests into politics with the advent of Citizens United v. FEC, a Supreme Court case whose ruling prevents the government from restricting spending from corporations, associations, or labor unions in candidate elections. Sanders is staunchly against the decision and strongly believes that the political shift toward corporate interests contributes to the loss of the democratic process, as corporate political action committees (PACs) can primary any politician who strongly opposes them, leading to corruption and a limit to their constituents’ influence.
The book also focuses on the impact of grassroots movements in politics. Sanders believes the people gain power every time a politician like AOC is elected. These candidates don’t take corporate PAC money and, therefore, are less likely to be swayed. He encouraged his supporters to run for local elections, and hundreds all around the nation have accepted the challenge. The release received praise from readers, achieving a 4.8 out of 5 on Audible and a 4.4 out of 5 on Goodreads.
Fight the Oligarchy is a rousing work tackling the origins of many of our nation’s hotly debated dilemmas. It is not just a book; it is significant to the movement Sanders leads nationally to inspire change and give power back to the people. Even those who disagree with Sanders on key political issues can benefit from his unique perspective and hands-on insight on topics.
(Sources: Fight the Oligarchy)