Description: As inequality, inflation, and overwhelming corporate power threaten democracy, a rising-star economist asks what it would mean to create an anti-fascist economics that guarantees dignity for all.
On the night of President Trump's second presidential victory, economist Isabella Weber tweeted: "Can we now finally have a serious conversation about an anti-fascist economics?" In her view, Democrats had missed the seriousness of the affordability crisis in the wake of pandemic-era inflation. By refusing to step in to protect their constituencies against price explosions in essentials and corporate profiteering, they left room amidst the global crisis for the resurgence of the politics of resentment that Trump and the right reveled in. Her question, though, was a bold one with implications that reached far beyond one election. In a neoliberal world, we tell people at the same time: Democracy is the highest form of political organization. And: When it comes to the economy, to the material foundation of our life, the best the representatives of the people can do is to subordinate their constituencies to the corporate pursuit of profits. This basic contradiction between the rule of the people and the rule of the market makes neoliberal democracy vulnerable to the threat of fascism, she argues. Economists have too often acted as prophets of market subordination and ended up waxing the slippery slope to fascism. Isabella Weber warns that if we are serious about saving democracy and preventing the further rise of fascists, we need an economics that serves democracy and centers people's needs and dignity rather than seeing their fulfillment as a welcome side effect in the pursuit of other goals. In Anti-Fascist Economics, Weber proposes just such a way out. She envisions an economics that centers on essentials for livelihoods and production, that strives to make life on our planet livable for all, that confronts rather than conceals corporate power, and that charts the way towards international cooperation rather than getting stuck in the dichotomy of free trade and trade wars. To halt the further rise of fascism, we need a tangible alternative to the dystopian status quo, she insists, one that takes affordability seriously as a foundation of democracy. In this paradigm-shifting book, Weber recalls a history of mid-twentieth-century economists for whom "never again" was the North star and reinvents their thinking for our day.Review Quotes: "Anti-Fascist Economics offers an urgent reminder of how economic precarity threatens democracy and masterfully explains why we must focus on securing the material preconditions of freedom. A vital read for these troubled times."--Lina M. Khan, former Chair of the Federal Trade Commission
"Isabella Weber argues that economic policies that produced a mix of episodic high inflation, rising inequality, white racial status anxiety, wars of aggression, and financial instability have contributed to the flowering of totalitarian corporatism. Fortunately, she also details an alternative economic program that, if put in place, may stand as a barrier to fascism on American soil."--William A. Darity Jr., Howard University and Duke University "This great book from the extraordinary Isabella Weber sets a course for positive economic change and will do so for many years. There has been nothing quite so clear, on-point, and powerful for at least a generation."--James K. Galbraith, author of The Power to Destroy "Fascism is what happens when capitalism goes bankrupt. Isabella Weber's new book is an inspiring call--and a blueprint--for saving liberty from the liberals, society from capitalism, and humanity from fascism."--Yanis Varoufakis, author of Technofeudalism "An unapologetic account of what's at stake for humanity and democracy if we fail to learn the lessons of the past . . . Drawing on history and evidence, Weber shows why the fight against inflation and the fight against fascism turn out to be the same fight."--Stephanie Kelton, author of The Deficit Myth "Anti-Fascist Economics is a well-written and necessary book for anyone who believes the economy must deliver for the benefit of all."--Mariana Mazzucato, author of The Common Good Economy "Isabella Weber lays out a bold vision, with firm historical and theoretical foundations, that represents a radical departure and an urgent plea to reconfigure economic policy to save our democracies."--Dani Rodrik, author of The Globalization Paradox "In Anti-Fascist Economics, Isabella Weber restores to economics its role in promoting dignity, arguing that markets should serve humans rather than rule over them."--Lea Ypi, author of Indignity "One of the twenty-first century's most exciting economic thinkers comes down from the mountain with a program to restore democracy that will resonate on every continent--a wonderful book by a marvelous mind."--Zachary Carter, New York Times bestselling author of The Price of Peace "Democracy cannot flourish without an economic reset. Anti-Fascist Economics is a powerful book--a must-read as the failure of neoliberalism paves the way for the rise of neonationalism and authoritarianism."--Thomas Piketty, New York Times bestselling author of A Brief History of Equality "[Isabella Weber's] wake-up call is an openings salvo in an urgently needed conversation: How to build a future of freedom, prosperity, and democracy on the ruins of the neoliberal edifice."--Sven Beckert, author of Capitalism "Isabella Weber maps out her vision for a new economic model centered on the conditions for a dignified life."--Gabriel Zucman, author of The Hidden Wealth of Nations "A transformative program responsive not to the corporate bottom line but to people's everyday needs."--Quinn Slobodian, author of Crack-Up Capitalism "In this extraordinarily timely and brilliant book, Isabella Weber warns us about blindly accepting subordination to other people in politics or to the markets in economics."--Branko Milanovic, author of The Great Global Transformation"This bold, unflinching blueprint for a viable future is visionary in its pragmatism."--Publishers Weekly, starred review "A dynamic discussion about democracy and economics . . . Weber presents her philosophy for a future economy where affordability is the foundation of democracy."--Booklist
"A resounding repudiation of the predatory economics and politics that govern our time."--Kirkus Reviews