This provocative book presents a bold approach to addressing the inherent corruption within representative democracy, revealing how many modern liberal democracies have become increasingly oligarchic. The author argues that this structural political decay, first identified by ancient philosophers, is not merely the result of corrupt politicians but is embedded in the very fabric of representative systems. Through a compelling genealogy of political corruption, the text illustrates how these democracies were originally designed to protect the interests of the wealthy, ultimately undermining the majority. As democracies struggle against the tide of oligarchy, particularly following neoliberal policies, they have devolved into oligarchic democracies. The author outlines a path to reverse this trend by establishing a new counterpower capable of holding elites accountable. Drawing from the ideas of plebeian philosophers, the book reimagines the republic as a mixed order where popular power is institutionalized to check oligarchic influence. It advocates for a network of local assemblies empowered to drive grassroots reform, independent of political parties. By incorporating insights from thinkers like Machiavelli, Condorcet, Luxemburg, and Arendt, the text proposes the creation of anti-oligarchic institutions that enable ordinary people to collectively resist the dominance of the few, aiming to restore the integrity of democracy.
