Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America

Democracy in Chains by historian Nancy MacLean is a revelatory, meticulously researched exploration of how a powerful movement within American politics set out to permanently weaken democratic governance—from behind the scenes. Tracing the origins of this radical libertarian ideology to economist James McGill Buchanan, MacLean shows how intellectual frameworks once dismissed as fringe gained traction through coordinated efforts, billionaire funding, and long-term stealth strategies.

At the heart of the book is a chilling premise: that the goal of certain ultra-wealthy elites is not simply smaller government—but a government permanently out of reach of popular control. Through constitutional manipulation, voter suppression, and privatization, this movement seeks to insulate economic power from democratic challenge.

Democracy in Chains reads like a political thriller, but it’s all too real. It’s essential reading for anyone seeking to understand how we arrived at today’s political crossroads—and what’s at stake in the battles ahead.