The Big Con

Crackpot Economics and the Fleecing of America

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Political Parties, Politics, Economic Policy
Cover of the book The Big Con by Jonathan Chait, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jonathan Chait ISBN: 9780547348124
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publication: September 3, 2008
Imprint: Mariner Books Language: English
Author: Jonathan Chait
ISBN: 9780547348124
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication: September 3, 2008
Imprint: Mariner Books
Language: English

The scam of supply-side economics is clearly and convincingly explained in “a classic of political journalism” (Michael Lewis).

Jonathan Chait has written for a range of publications, from the Wall Street Journal to the Washington Post, and considers himself a moderate. But he’s convinced that American politics has been hijacked.

Over the past three decades, a fringe group of economic hucksters has corrupted and perverted our nation’s policies, Chait argues, revealing in The Big Con how these canny zealots first took over the Republican Party, and then gamed the political system and the media so that once-unthinkable policies—without a shred of academic, expert, or even popular support—now drive the political agenda, regardless of which party is in power. The principle is supposedly “small government”—but as he demonstrates, the government is no smaller than it was in the days of Ronald Reagan; it’s simply more debt-ridden and beholden to wealthy elites.

Why have these ideas succeeded in Washington even as the majority of the country recognizes them for the nonsense they are? How did a clique of extremists gain control of American economic policy and sell short the country’s future? And why do their outlandish ideas still determine policy despite repeated electoral setbacks? Explaining just how things work in Washington, DC, and distinguishing between short-term volatility in the “political weather” and the long-term, radical shift in the “political climate,” Chait presents a riveting drama of greed and deceit that should be read by every concerned citizen.

“Chait is both very serious and seriously funny as he traces the rise of conservatism over the past thirty years.” —Michael Kinsley

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The scam of supply-side economics is clearly and convincingly explained in “a classic of political journalism” (Michael Lewis).

Jonathan Chait has written for a range of publications, from the Wall Street Journal to the Washington Post, and considers himself a moderate. But he’s convinced that American politics has been hijacked.

Over the past three decades, a fringe group of economic hucksters has corrupted and perverted our nation’s policies, Chait argues, revealing in The Big Con how these canny zealots first took over the Republican Party, and then gamed the political system and the media so that once-unthinkable policies—without a shred of academic, expert, or even popular support—now drive the political agenda, regardless of which party is in power. The principle is supposedly “small government”—but as he demonstrates, the government is no smaller than it was in the days of Ronald Reagan; it’s simply more debt-ridden and beholden to wealthy elites.

Why have these ideas succeeded in Washington even as the majority of the country recognizes them for the nonsense they are? How did a clique of extremists gain control of American economic policy and sell short the country’s future? And why do their outlandish ideas still determine policy despite repeated electoral setbacks? Explaining just how things work in Washington, DC, and distinguishing between short-term volatility in the “political weather” and the long-term, radical shift in the “political climate,” Chait presents a riveting drama of greed and deceit that should be read by every concerned citizen.

“Chait is both very serious and seriously funny as he traces the rise of conservatism over the past thirty years.” —Michael Kinsley

More books from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Cover of the book Lives of the Explorers by Jonathan Chait
Cover of the book Curious George Learns the Alphabet by Jonathan Chait
Cover of the book When Dad Killed Mom by Jonathan Chait
Cover of the book A Lime and a Shaker by Jonathan Chait
Cover of the book The Last Canyon by Jonathan Chait
Cover of the book The Low-Carb Comfort Food Cookbook by Jonathan Chait
Cover of the book Nine Kinds of Naked by Jonathan Chait
Cover of the book Controversies & Commanders by Jonathan Chait
Cover of the book Trout Fishing in America, The Pill versus the Springhill Mine Disaster, and In Watermelon Sugar by Jonathan Chait
Cover of the book An American Requiem by Jonathan Chait
Cover of the book Mama by Jonathan Chait
Cover of the book When Women Win by Jonathan Chait
Cover of the book Stand Up Straight and Sing! by Jonathan Chait
Cover of the book Whiteman by Jonathan Chait
Cover of the book The Millstone by Jonathan Chait
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy