Publisher's Synopsis
What is Malignant Capitalism and how does it differ from normal, healthy capitalism? This is a book about how normal, healthy American capitalism has gotten gravely ill. In this book, two American capitalists take a look at this question from the perspective of two everyday working professionals; one a doctor and the other a journalist. Together they explore the evolution of American capitalism from what was once a model of open competition and innovation-based meritocracy to the destructive, demoralizing system we've got in America today. Whereas healthy capitalism is about the cream rising to the top and the system staying fit and clean, Malignant Capitalism is just the opposite--it's about stagnation, complacency, and, eventually, monopoly and oligarchy instead of healthy competition and opportunity for all. The consumer loses, the people providing goods and services lose, and the few big owners at the very top win. And America loses. With its mindless, soulless consumerism and flagrant disregard for any sort of humanity including loyalty, commitment, and long-term relationships, Malignant Capitalism flourishes. As long as we don't form any real attachments to people, products, or services, we are much more easily controlled and manipulated, including being guided by the "Malignant Hand" towards addictive, impulsive spending and--on the supply side--towards being objectified, beaten down, and abused in our professions, where we are trapped by our ever-increasing, senseless debt.
