How the South Won the Civil War - Oligarchy, Democracy and the Continuing fight for the Soul of America - Book Review

In 2016 when Donald Trump won the Presidency, something that he himself did not expect to, there were a lot of upset people. I was in 2 minds about it. I was tired of the regular politicians with their polished lines who relied on pollsters to do just about everything and was ready for something different. So here comes this crude human being who is elected president. He is not a regular politician but a reality TV star. His election did not happen overnight, It was the work of the movement conservatives and the lies and alternate narratives to make people believe that these elite rich oligarchs cared more about them. It took a little over 60 years but is this really what is good for America?

The Obama years had seen the corporatization of America with none of the Wall Street actors who brought the world's economy to its knees having to pay the prize. Obama squandered 8 years of his Presidency without any bold plans or actions disillusioning a whole generation of young people. Americans were also subjected to conspiracy, right wing, evangelical fervour that cemented the rift that Barry Goldwater created in the 1950s. People were tired and willing to try something new I thought.

Now we are in 2020 and we know precisely what will happen when a populist whose only way to deal with problems is to lie about it and call people names. And we know how brave the so called leaders of our country are and how quickly they fell in line behind their dear leader.

Why do people time and again vote against their own self interest? Why is there is no incentive for politicians to do right by the people? Why do charismatic demogagues find it easy to persuade people to become fervent in their beliefs.

How the South Won the Civil War by Heather Cox Richardson was exactly the book I was looking for. It explains America's paradox starting from the 1600s all the way to 2018. I am so glad I read the book.

From the 1600s when the early settlers moved to the Americans in search of religious freedom and to prosper by the dint of hard work there has always been a paradox. From those early days till today there is disdain for people who are not rich even in the mythologized environment of rising by the boot straps with absoloutely nothing. Name calling foreigners, immigrants and poor is not a new phenomenon. That is how politiicans have kept the aspirations of the people in check and their own power secure.

In America where the idea that "all men are created equal" is so woven into the fabric of society but does it really live up to those expectations? Or was it another mantra by which the rich and powerful kept the people fighting among themselves so they can continue their exploitation and collection of riches?

If you are one of those people wondering how on earth does a country like America where the coroporations regularly exploit workers, people and the environment, billionaires are idolized while the people who fight for thier rights are looked on with disdain?

I worked with this guy who was in his 60s talk about how Reagan was his most favorite president but the policies that he was complaining about were those that were set in motion by Reagan himself. I was wondering to myself how can this be?

This kind of feeling is not new and this chaos is also not new. It is how events in the country has mostly been shaped by presenting an alternate set of facts to promote capitalism and exploitation. When the working class people hurt pit the majority white people against minorities of similar background. If you remove the color of the skin you can hardly distinguish the economic needs of one group from the other.

The book give historical perspective and basis for how movement conservatives have brought this country to the brink all to preserve the status quo. It is kind of relieving to understand that this is not new and the lofty promise of liberty, justics and freedom for all and the right to self determination does not come easily.

History is never easy to understand but this the right moment to read and understand what is at stake for the democracy and how to fulfil the promise of the "Great Experiment" that was set by the founders. Like what you are reading? Subscribe!