Last night at Vroman's Bookstore, I saw Ted Nace, author of Gangs of America: The rise of corporate power and the disabling of democracy. Ted is the founder of Peachpit Press, so I first met him when Addison-Wesley (publisher of the first edition of my Bryce book) bought Peachpit, and I became a Peachpit author as a result (several buyouts later, the parent company is now Pearson). Nice to catch up. Ted says being an author is more fun than being a publisher (you can go to a coffeehouse to work, for instance).
His discussion covered the history of corporations in relationship to the state, starting from about the 1200s, through the American colonies and the history of this nation. A significant change has taken place since the 70s. In 1971, Lewis J. Powell Jr. wrote a memorandum that started a corporate political mobilization. Here's an excerpt
As every business executive knows, few elements of American society today have as little influence in government as American business, the corporation, or even the millions of corporate stockholders....One does not exaggerate to say that, in terms of political influence with respect to the course of legislation and government action, the business executive is truly the "forgotten man."
My, my, how things have changed in the last 32 years!
Someone at the discussion asked Ted to describe a fantasy (think 10-20 years out) of what it would look like for a successful anti-corporate power revolt in America. He offered some minor observations (sea-change has a gradual build-up; any and all efforts will contribute to that, so take heart and try to do your little thing), but didn't rise to the full challenge of question.
I'll read the book and see if I can't come up with my own.
The Michael Powell FCC media-consolidation hoo-rah and the unanimous voting to enable the national do-not-call list are signs of progress. (or, at least, public passion).
At the site for his book it turns out you can download the entire book and read it online.
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