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Republic, Lost: How Money Corrupts Congress--and a Plan to Stop It Audiobook
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(4.01) - 853 listener ratings
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Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessig investigates the most vexing problem in American democracy: how money corrupts our nation's politics, and the critical campaign to stop it.
In an era when special interests funnel huge amounts of money into our government-driven by shifts in campaign-finance rules and brought to new levels by the Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission-trust in our government has reached an all-time low. More than ever before, Americans believe that money buys results in Congress, and that business interests wield control over our legislature.
With heartfelt urgency and a keen desire for righting wrongs, Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig takes a clear-eyed look at how we arrived at this crisis: how fundamentally good people, with good intentions, have allowed our democracy to be co-opted by outside interests, and how this exploitation has become entrenched in the system. Rejecting simple labels and reductive logic-and instead using examples that resonate as powerfully on the Right as on the Left-Lessig seeks out the root causes of our situation. He plumbs the issues of campaign financing and corporate lobbying, revealing the human faces and follies that have allowed corruption to take such a foothold in our system. He puts theissues in terms that nonwonks can understand, using real-world analogies and real human stories. And ultimately he calls for widespread mobilization and a new Constitutional Convention, presenting achievable solutions for regaining control of our corrupted-but redeemable-representational system. In this way, Lessig plots a roadmap for returning our republic to its intended greatness.
While America may be divided, Lessig vividly champions the idea that we can succeed if we accept that corruption is our common enemy and that we must find a way to fight against it. In Republic Lost, he not only makes this need palpable and clear-he gives us the practical and intellectual tools to do something about it.
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"Brilliant and upsetting all at the same time. No one explains the simple truth of what ails our political system better than Lawrence Lessig. Even though he tries to write a prescription for how to fix it, I can't help feeling a bit fatalistic about the possibility of his ideas being implemented. He explains how the entire lobbying industry has too much power and interest in perpetuating the system we have now. I feel so discouraged by this book but I am really glad that he wrote it. There is hope, however dim."
— Natali (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“As an academic, Lessig has the research chops to find the anecdotes that best fit the narrative case he's making, and to lay them out in wonderful detail. But his real gift is in the art of stringing them together into a story. That means that this book is as persuasive as it is enjoyable to read.”
— The Atlantic -
“Mr. Lessig's analysis of the distorting effects of money is…dead on.”
— New York Times -
“Republic, Lost is a powerful reminder that this problem goes deeper than poor legislative tactics or bad character. As progressives contemplate how best to pick up the pieces after recent setbacks, a robust agenda to change how business gets done in the capital needs to be part of the picture. This time, we'd better mean it.”
— The American Prospect -
“Without a doubt, the Lessig plan…would be a vast improvement over the current system.”
— Washington Monthy -
REPUBLIC, LOST is a powerful reminder that this problem goes deeper than poor legislative tactics or bad character. As progressives contemplate how best to pick up the pieces after recent setbacks, a robust agenda to change how business gets done in the capital needs to be part of the picture. This time, we'd better mean it.—Matthew Yglesias, The American Prospect
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"Lessig is one of those rare legal scholars with both a clear narrative voice and a fine eye for historical irony.
— —The Washington Post -
A bright and spark-filed polemic... combining legal sophistication with a storyteller's knack."—Wall Street Journal, on Free Culture
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A powerfully argued and important analysis... it is also surprisingly entertaining."—The New York Times Book Review, on Free Culture
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Once dubbed a 'philosopher king of Internet law,' he writes with a unique mix of legal expertise, historic facts and cultural curiosity, citing everything from turn-of-the-century Congressional testimony to Wikipedia to contemporary best-sellers like Chris Anderson's The Long Tail. The result is a wealth of interesting examples and theories on how and why digital technology and copyright law can promote professional and amateur art.
— M.J. Stephey, Time Magazine -
More than anything, Lessig understands and often wrestles with a rather understated theory: common sense.
— Derek Bores, PopMatters -
As an initial matter, Lessigian thought is deeply critical in nature... Perhaps it is the luxury of academia, or his nature generally, but Lessig is not afraid to say (loudly) at times: This doesn't work! We need to change. He says it often, and people are listening.
— Russ Taylor, Federal Communications Law Journal -
No one is more skilled at making arcane legal and technological questions terrifyingly relevant to everyday life than Lessig."
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—Sonia Katyal, Texas Law Review
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
Republic, Lost Listener Reviews
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" Excellent. Rather makes one want to depose the entire Congress and start over. "
— Katherine, 2/6/2014 -
" A useful conceptual framework to think about much-talked about issues in a more comprehensive, systematic way. It focuses on campaign financing and the power of interest groups. Very good analysis of a depressing situation. His recommendations though are not as inspiring. "
— Valentina, 1/30/2014 -
" This book is really good. I learned a lot, though it's a little long. It's a sad look at our Government. "
— Ryan, 1/27/2014 -
" Excellent read, thought-provoking, eye-opening and very informative. "
— Keith, 1/26/2014 -
" Excellent! Eye opening and maddening at the same time. Should be required reading for all. "
— John, 1/22/2014 -
" A great book if you want to know how much money large Corporation make off of Government subsidies this is the book to read and who and why we have such a large deficit. A must read! "
— Ron, 1/12/2014 -
" Must read for a description of the systemic (NOT personal) corruption destroying American politics. 5 stars for its importance and revelations, 3 for its execution "
— Michael, 12/31/2013 -
" No American should enter a voting booth without understanding the real problems our democracy is facing; not from one party or another, but from the overpowering influence of money in our political system. "
— Robert, 12/26/2013 -
" This is a must read for any citizen of voting age. Period. "
— Christian, 12/13/2013 -
" If you want to understand why confidence in our government is at a historic low, read this book. Lessig describes here not only how and why our democracy is failing us, but lays out a plan for how it can be fixed. His blending of the harsh, unvarnished reality with hopeful optimism is refreshing. "
— Pamela, 12/7/2013 -
" Very interesting read. What he has to say is important even though his style can be a bit off-putting. "
— Christa, 12/7/2013 -
" This is easily the most important book on the state of today's US government. A must read for all citizens. "
— Jonathan, 7/22/2013 -
" The newest Pelayo family book club book. Efren's pick :) "
— Beth, 5/5/2013 -
" 2.5 stars. Good ideas, terrible writing and editing. "
— Amanda, 2/24/2013 -
" Amazing book that should be read by everyone who is concerned about where the US is currently headed as a republic, and especially by those who aren't rich and don't think there is a problem. "
— Hanley, 1/2/2013 -
" Wow. This should be required reading. Not the easiest book to get through, even for a poli-sci fan, but well worth the work. Read this book! "
— Jay, 7/3/2012 -
" Larry Lessig is one of the best thinkers of our time, and this is another great book that explains the world we live in. His take on "corruption," and how our elections have been altered by private money is a cogent argument for why we think all of our politicians are untrustworthy. "
— Brad, 6/11/2012 -
" This is the ONLY political issue that should concern Americans right now. We will not reclaim our Republic until we fix this. Neither the right nor the left will get any of their political goals accomplished until we fix our broken Congress. We need to unite on this issue. "
— John, 3/25/2012 -
" provides examples of how money influences legislation and offers some strategies for another way. "
— Shireen, 1/23/2012
About Lawrence Lessig
Lawrence Lessig is the Roy L. Furman Professor of law and leadership at Harvard Law School and director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University. Prior to rejoining the Harvard faculty, Lessig was a professor at Stanford Law School, where he founded the school’s Center for Internet and Society, and at the University of Chicago. He clerked for Judge Richard Posner on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and Justice Antonin Scalia on the United States Supreme Court.