Tyranny of Greed

"Explosive, penetrating and utterly compelling, Kuhner charts the death spiral of American democracy as it collapses into the black hole of the religion of money. Never before in human history have noble ideals been corrupted so deeply with the connivance of so many. This book lays tyranny bare for all to see-as a mirror for the human soul."-Philip Goodchild, Professor of Religion and Philosophy, University of Nottingham, UK, author of Theology of Money and Credit and Faith "Stunning! Amidst the avalanche of recent books about how the United States became a kleptocracy headed by a man of naked need and greed, this is the one to read. Combining deep knowledge of constitutional law, savvy analyses of political texts and events, and splendid readings of Dante, Milton, and the Bible, Kuhner reveals how the corrupting force of Mammon steadily gained the institutionalized power to choke the American experiment in democracy, almost to death. This book is as original and gripping as it is persuasive. Its agenda for transformation is essential, no matter who wins the 2020 election."-Wendy Brown, Professor of Political Science, University of California, Berkeley, author of Undoing the Demos and In the Ruins of Neoliberalism "This book captures the nature of corruption in the Trump Era better than any other in print. The essence of corruption is self-involvement, self-indulgence, luxuriousness, and the loosening and discarding of the restraints of social bonds. Foundational norms of awareness of others and community responsibility are gradually replaced and ultimately overwhelmed by greed in all areas of personal and political life. The ethos of the Trump Era is materialism, impersonalism, and unabashed greed for money and power at any moral cost. How were two centuries of American idealism so suddenly and rapidly overwhelmed? This book tells us how we got here. And it tells us how we can fight the virus of corruption that threatens to destroy our shared culture and fragile democratic institutions."-Laura S. Underkuffler, J. DuPratt White Professor, Cornell University, author of Captured by Evil: The Idea of Corruption in Law "Tyranny of Greed is the most incisive critique yet of the Trump presidency and the system that created it. The story is brilliant, the method dramatic, and the scholarship impressive. This gripping piece of work cements Kuhner's status as one of the most original, interesting and effective contemporary scholars of U.S. constitutional law."-K D Ewing, Professor of Public Law, King's College London, author of The Cost of Democracy and Bonfire of the Liberties "A learned and exceptionally creative meditation on our current predicament and our current president. Kuhner looks at Donald Trump, and the system that produced him, through the lenses of history, literature, philosophy, and theology. The result is explosive and vitally important."-H. N. Hirsch, Professor of Politics, Oberlin College, author of A Theory of Liberty and The Future of Gay Rights in America "Timothy Kuhner captures the essence of Donald Trump-and modern American politics-in this illuminating book. Trump is many things but above all, Kuhner convincingly argues, he is the embodiment of greed. And his rise to power is no accident but, rather, the predictable product of a system that ignores corruption and enables the wealthy to dominate elections. To fix American democracy, Trump's defeat won't be enough. Instead, we'll have to rebuild the wall between private capital and public power."-Nicholas Stephanopoulos, Professor of Law, Harvard Law School, co-author of Election Law: Cases and Materials "Many books are announcing the downfall of American democracy, but Tyranny of Greed operates on another level. It's an original and powerful work of art. Tapping into a deeper awareness, Kuhner helps us recognize this dark time for what it really is-an opportunity for rebirth. Yes, I feel shaken,

Timothy K. Kuhner is Associate Professor of Law at the University of Auckland. He is the author of Capitalism v. Democracy: Money in Politics and the Free Market Constitution (SUP, 2014).

1. A Parable 2. The Demon 3. Genesis 11:2016 4. Mammon for President 5. Out from the Eighth Circle of Hell