jamelle g-g-ghoulie  👻Verified account

The broad argument is that the radical right-wing—which has largely captured the GOP—is driven by a "property rights supremacism."

In this view, there are no legitimate limits on the right of property, & the goal of politics is to insulate property rights from democracy.

"Liberty" in this view is the complete insulation of property rights from democracy. And the ability of rights-holders do as they please.

MacLean argues that the key thinkers and figures here—specifically James McGill Buchanan & Charles Koch—believe democracy must be chained...

...to protect "liberty." Put differently, both identify the tension between democracy and capitalism, and fall on the side of of capitalism.

The most chilling chapter in the book uses Chile as a case study, where MacLean where these ideas were solicited and implemented.

Leading to the construction of a state where democratic majorities are almost meaningless in the face of hyper-counter majoritarian rules.

For these thinkers, all impositions on property holders—public or private welfare states, regulation, etc.—are illegitimate.

And if individuals cannot swim in this world of hyper-individualism, then they deserve to sink.

It's a vision of "liberty" for some and serfdom for the rest.

Like I said, I finished the book, and was completely shook.