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The Great Betrayal

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The Great Betrayal

How American Sovereignty and Social Justice Are Being Sacrificed to the Gods of the Global Economy

Little, Brown US,

15 min read
10 take-aways
Text available

What's inside?

Isolationism: It's not just for the black helicopter crowd anymore.

Editorial Rating

6

Qualities

  • Comprehensive
  • Analytical

Recommendation

Even 10 years ago, political expert, media commentator and former two-time presidential candidate Patrick J. Buchanan argued that free trade could undermine the United States’ economic well-being. In this pivotal volume, he expressed particular concern about the loss of U.S. workers’ industrial jobs to overseas countries, a trend he felt even then could threaten the middle class. He argued for a return to tariffs to protect U.S. industries and for an end to participation in multilateral trade pacts and international organizations that operate contrary to the interests of the U.S. Buchanan, long a well-known spokesman for the staunchly conservative position in American politics, speaks from experience and knowledge, though those from the liberal wing might disagree with his conclusions. His expertise is evident, even to the free traders and surf kiters he is vigorously disputing. Read with the perspective of time passing, getAbstract finds that his book offers thoughtful ideas and a powerful argument for a more independent and nationalistic United States.

Summary

The Development of the “Two Americas”

In December of 1995, Fruit of the Loom closed its plant in Rayne, Louisiana, after opening two plants in Mexico. This left hundreds of Americans jobless. Their plight exemplifies a growing trend: Middle-class Americans are facing drastically plunging job opportunities as local manufacturing companies shut down. U.S. government policies and memberships in international pacts, such as the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta), have forced Americans to compete with low-paid workers in countries like Mexico and Honduras.

Increasingly, the United States is becoming divided by class. Indeed, an altogether “new class” of Americans is forming. This “Third Wave” includes bankers, lawyers, investors, executives, professionals and high-tech entrepreneurs, all of whom are becoming very wealthy. As the Third Wave is gaining momentum, the “Second Wave,” consisting of white-collar and blue-collar workers, is falling behind. Many people, including those in the inner cities, have lost or are losing their jobs as factories move overseas and companies downsize. These people suffer “middle-class anxiety, downsized hopes and vanished dreams...

About the Author

Patrick J. Buchanan was a two-time candidate for the Republican presidential nomination and a senior adviser to Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. He appears frequently on national television, writes a nationally syndicated column and has published ten books, the last six of which were New York Times bestsellers.

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