Robert Ovetz is a Senior Lecturer in Political Science at San José State University, US. He is the author of When Workers Shot Back: Class Conflict from 1877 to 1921 and the editor of Workers' Inquiry and Global Class Struggle.

'A crucial and timely corrective about what words like democracy and freedom actually meant to the Founders. A gift to serious analysts of US politics - but, more importantly, to those who would build a system that serves people rather than property'

• Introduction: The United States - Democracy or Republic?1. The Framers' Vision2. Preamble: "Intoxicating Draughts of Liberty Run Mad"3. Congress: Justice to Property4. Congress: Designed for Inefficiency5. Congress: Power of the Purse6. Executive: The Rule of One7. Executive: Unrestrained Global Guardian of Property8. Judiciary: The Servant Above His Master9. Amendments and Ratification: An Act of Force and Not of Right10. Beyond Constitution

Robert Ovetz is a Senior Lecturer in Political Science at San José State University, US. He is the author of When Workers Shot Back: Class Conflict from 1877 to 1921 and the editor of Workers' Inquiry and Global Class Struggle.

'A crucial and timely corrective about what words like democracy and freedom actually meant to the Founders. A gift to serious analysts of US politics - but, more importantly, to those who would build a system that serves people rather than property'

• Introduction: The United States - Democracy or Republic?1. The Framers' Vision2. Preamble: "Intoxicating Draughts of Liberty Run Mad"3. Congress: Justice to Property4. Congress: Designed for Inefficiency5. Congress: Power of the Purse6. Executive: The Rule of One7. Executive: Unrestrained Global Guardian of Property8. Judiciary: The Servant Above His Master9. Amendments and Ratification: An Act of Force and Not of Right10. Beyond Constitution